MBRU Theses & Dissertations

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Browsing MBRU Theses & Dissertations by Subject "Communication"

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    What are the family experiences in the PICU?
    (2023) Ismail, Asma Mahmood Farah
    This dissertation presents a comprehensive review of studies examining the family experience within Pediatric Intensive Care Units (PICUs). The overarching research question guiding this exploration was, "What are the family experiences in PICUs?" To address this question, a wide array of research studies was analyzed, offering valuable insights, uncovering common themes, exploring variations, and reflecting on the implications of these findings. The study outcomes accentuate several crucial elements that considerably impact the family experience within PICUs. Communication surfaced as a central motive, stressing the essential nature of transparent, compassionate, and empathetic exchanges between healthcare providers and parents. The demand for emotional and psychological backing was another persistent topic, showcasing the critical role of healthcare teams in mitigating parental distress and nurturing effective coping strategies. Sharing of information was pinpointed as a vital component of the family experience, as parents highlighted the significance of prompt and comprehensible medical details. Furnishing parents with knowledge empowered them to vigorously participate in care procedures and decision-making processes. Participation itself materialized as an important theme, emphasizing the merit of including parents as collaborators in their child's treatment, instead of just passive receivers of medical support. Although these common threads furnish a basis for apprehending the family experience in PICUs, dissimilarities were also noticeable. Contrasting viewpoints between parents, nurses, and doctors underscored the intricacies of the PICU surroundings and the obstacles in harmonizing expectations and priorities among varied stakeholders. The studies primary findings emphasize the supreme importance of communication, support, environment, information, and participation in molding the family experience in PICUs. Efficient communication, emotional reinforcement, and crafting family-centric settings can significantly enhance the well-being of families during their child's stay at the PICU. Prompt, exhaustive information enables parents to be proactive participants in their child's treatment while engagement fosters a sense of collaboration. These discoveries hold significant implications for healthcare professionals, establishments, policymakers, and families. By understanding and responding to the key themes identified in this analysis, these parties can collaborate to establish a more compassionate, supportive, and family-focused approach to care within the PICU. Ultimately, this would result in improved outcomes for critically ill children, enhanced parental coping mechanisms, and a more constructive and empowering experience for families during their challenging passage in the PICU. This dissertation's insights are not only valuable for improving family-centered care in PICUs but also contribute to the broader field of healthcare research, informing policies, practices, and future research directions.