Determining the Difficulties of Parents with Children in Home Care Who Were Discharged from Intensive Care

OpenAlex İngilizce

Introduction: This study was performed to determine the difficulties experienced by parents with children in home care who were discharged from intensive care.Methods: A phenomenological qualitative method was used to determine the difficulties experienced by the parents.The sample of the study consisted of parents (n=22) whose children met the inclusion criteria and needed home care.The data were analyzed in the MAXQDA qualitative data analysis program in accordance with Colaizzi's seven-stage method.Results: The average age of the children in the study group was 85.63±58.40months.56.7% of them were male.40% of the children were followed up with a diagnosis of neurological disease.All children discharged from the intensive care unit had tracheostomy.95.4% of them used home-type mechanical ventilators, and 95.3% were fed enterally.In line with the data obtained from the interviews of the parents, it was determined that there were difficulties in terms of feelings about discharge, physical conditions for home care, family relationship, social relationship, difficulty in physical care, inadequacy in support systems and financial status.Conclusion: The home care of children, who are dependent on medical technology and discharged from intensive care, is mostly performed by their families.Children dependent on medical technology should be supported by home care personnel to avoid potential risks.