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J Pediatr Intensive Care
DOI: 10.1055/s-0044-1786768
Original Article

“It Would Be All-Consuming”: Community Parents' Perceptions of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit

Kathryn A. Balistreri 
1   Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
,
Julia B. Tager
1   Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
,
Paulina S. Lim
1   Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
,
W Hobart Davies
1   Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
,
Stacee M. Lerret
2   Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
,
Kristin K. Magner
2   Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
,
Matthew C. Scanlon
2   Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
,
Charles B. Rothschild
2   Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
,
for the Milwaukee Collaborative for Resilience and Emotional Wellness Science (Milwaukee CREWS) › Author Affiliations Funding This project was supported by the CTSI Team Science-Guided Integrated Clinical and Research Ensemble, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Award Number 2UL1 TR001436.
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Abstract

Parents of children hospitalized in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) may have expectations which could contribute to their emotional experiences both during and after hospitalization. This study aimed to evaluate community parents' knowledge and perceptions of the PICU to enhance understanding of preexisting concerns that may influence PICU experiences. English-speaking parents who had a child between the ages of 6 and 12 years old participated. Participants (n = 211) were mostly female (77%), white (72%), and married (72%). Participants completed an online survey regarding demographics and PICU knowledge. Participants were randomized to read a vignette in which a friend disclosed their child's PICU hospitalization either due to surgery, an accident, or chronic health condition. After reading the vignette, participants reported on the expected length of stay (LOS), survival expectations, and expected level of distress. Parents responded to open-ended questions regarding anticipated stressors, parent needs, and PICU resources. Parents overestimated the LOS and underestimated the survival rate. They expected PICU hospitalization to be highly distressing, primarily due to concerns about their hospitalized child, and that parents would need and have emotional support available to them. Parents may come into the PICU with preexisting concerns regarding medical outcomes. It is important that PICU providers assess for and address any parent misperceptions about their child's illness immediately upon admission and frequently throughout hospitalization. It is important to offer and encourage the use of psychosocial support services.

Keywords

intensive care units - pediatric - pediatric critical illness - psychological distress - parents - psychosocial support


Publication History

Received: 15 March 2023

Accepted: 08 April 2024

Article published online:
17 May 2024

© 2024. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Stuttgart · New York

 

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