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Parental participation in the care of hospitalized children: a review of the research evidence

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Evidence-based Child Health Care

Abstract

In this chapter, principles and procedures of systematic review are applied to the question: what are the effects of parental participation in hospitalised children’s care on parents, other family members and the children themselves? A search of electronic databases and nine nursing journals identified 28 papers for review. Systematic review procedures were adapted to reflect the wide range of methodologies represented. The effects of parental participation in hospitalised children’s care on the parents were identified in 27 studies and concerned four themes: roles and relationships; emotional status; control and decision making; and knowledge and competence. The effects on children’s physical and emotional wellbeing were identified in six studies. Recommendations are made to help practitioners to facilitate parental participation that reflects the needs of parents in caring for their hospitalised child. The need for further research is highlighted with respect to the perspectives of children, families from ethnic minority groups and family members other than mothers.

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Savage, E., Callery, P. (2000). Parental participation in the care of hospitalized children: a review of the research evidence. In: Glasper, E.A., Ireland, L. (eds) Evidence-based Child Health Care. Palgrave, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-333-98239-6_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-333-98239-6_5

  • Publisher Name: Palgrave, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-333-80230-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-0-333-98239-6

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