A Study of the Needs of Parents of Hospitalized 2- to 6-Year-Old Children

Abstract

The present study uses a qualitative approach to explore and identify areas of needs among parents of 2- to 6-year-old children who are hospitalized. An extensive literature review and informal in-depth interviews with five parents and six pediatric health care professionals were analyzed by content to develop a representative list of statements about needs. Six groups of needs were recognized: (a) the need to be able to trust doctors and nurses, (b) the need for information, (c) needs related to other family members, (d) a need to feel that they are trusted, (e) needs related to human and physical resources, and (e) the need for support and guidance. A congruency is found between statements about needs of parents of hospitalized 2- to 6-year-olds in the literature on the one hand and the needs of parents expressed by parents themselves and pediatric health care professionals on the other hand.