Open Access‘You have to do what is best’: The lived reality of having a child who is repeatedly hospitalized because of acute lower respiratory infection
Author(s) -
McBrideHenry Karen,
Miller Charissa,
Trenholm Adrian,
Officer Tara N.
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
health expectations
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.314
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1369-7625
pISSN - 1369-6513
DOI - 10.1111/hex.13408
Subject(s) - aotearoa , lifeworld , referral , indigenous , ethnic group , nursing , psychological resilience , medicine , participant observation , psychology , sociology , social psychology , gender studies , social science , anthropology , biology , ecology
Hospitalization of children is traumatic for children and their families. Little is known about the impact of repeated acute admissions on families, or of these experiences in Indigenous populations and ethnic minorities. This study explores the societal and health experiences for families who have a child under two years of age, admitted to hospitals more than twice for lower respiratory infections. Methods Underpinned by a reflective lifeworld research methodology, this article presents results from 14 in‐depth interviews in Aotearoa/New Zealand. Results Families learn to identify illness early and then navigate hospital systems. These families struggle to create safe spaces for their children at home or in society. Wider social and economic support are central to family resilience, without which they struggle. Conclusion This study reinforces the importance of bringing meaningful, culturally‐responsive care to the fore of treatment, particularly when managing vulnerable minorities. Formal referral and support processes are key to this responsiveness to lessen the burdens of acute admissions for families. Patient or Public Contribution Families chose to be involved in this study to highlight the importance of the topic and their experiences with accessing health care. The cultural advisors to the project provided feedback on the analysis and its applicability for the participant community.