Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to provide a rich description of the lived experiences
of parents whose child had received care in a new paediatric emergency department.
Procedures
A descriptive phenomenological design was used. Semistructured interviews were conducted
with 18 parents. Participants were asked to describe their experience of having a
sick or injured child treated at the paediatric emergency department, recounting the
story of their journey from when their child was first sick or injured, through to
their experience within the emergency department, until discharge home. Data were
analysed using Colaizzi's phenomenological approach.
Findings
Following analysis, six themes emerged: I can’t imagine my life without her; Keeping
me up to date with what was happening; They treated my child in a way that was toddler
friendly; They had our child's best interest at heart; We were working as a team;
and There are games and books in the waiting room.
Conclusion
The findings demonstrated that parents’ experience of having an ill or injured child
treated by the paediatric emergency department was a positive experience and highlighted
factors that contributed to this experience. These included open communication, competent
and skilled staff, being seen in a timely manner and being cared for in a thorough,
family inclusive and child-friendly way.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: February 27, 2019
Accepted:
December 5,
2018
Received:
October 9,
2018
Identification
Copyright
© 2019 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of College of Emergency Nursing Australasia.
