Use of a theoretical framework in paediatric intensive care to provide support for parents of children with severe meningococcal disease.

The impact on parents of having a child admitted to a paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) with meningococcal disease (MD) is discussed. Analysis, synthesis and evaluation of how nurses within a PICU can use a theoretical framework to identify and facilitate a decision-making process, regarding the support required by the parents of these children, is outlined. Peplau's interpersonal/conceptual framework is used as a basis for the investigation.