Parent-to-Parent Communication for Parent Empowerment in the Management of Their Hospitalized Child's Pain.

PURPOSE: There is a paucity of research about the nature of the support parents need when their hospitalized child experiences pain. This study builds on previous research, which identified the need for a collaborative approach to managing children's acute pain, focused on empowering parents to be effectively involved.

DESIGN

This study used a participatory qualitative approach.

METHODS

Semi-structured online interviews were carried out by two researchers using four practice-based vignettes created with an expert pain nurse. The interviews elicited the views of eight parents on best practice in engaging parents in the management of their child's pain. The child patients ranged in age from 7 to 16 years. Each child enrolled in this study had the experience of pain while being hospitalized. The study had full ethical approval from the Open University, United Kingdom, and the National Health Service Health Research Authority. Interviews with parents ranged from 20 to 40 minutes.

RESULTS

Eight parents (six mothers and two fathers) of children who had experienced pain while hospitalized participated in this study. Interview data highlighted the importance of open and clear communication between parents and nurses, the need for parents to build a relationship with nurses in which they feel confident to seek help when their child experiences pain, and the need for parents to build a relationship with nurses who would provide pain management for their child.

CONCLUSIONS

This study revealed that there is still a need for better communication between parents and nurses at the study site. The parents in this study reported a need for better communication between parents and nurses regarding their child's pain management.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: A 3-minute animation (computer-generated video) with key messages from eight experienced parents to other parents about how to be confident and seek help when their child experiences pain has the potential to increase parent involvement in the management of their child's pain.