Document Type
Article
Language
eng
Publication Date
7-2017
Publisher
Wiley
Source Publication
Journal for Specialists in Pediatric Nursing
Source ISSN
1539-0136
Abstract
Purpose
To explore parents’ experiences of the transition from hospital to home and complex chronic illness management following their children's solid organ transplant (SOT).
Design and Methods
Qualitative component of a larger mixed methods longitudinal study. Parents of SOT recipients were interviewed three times following hospital discharge from five major pediatric transplant hospitals in the United States.
Results
Analysis of parent interviews (N = 48) resulted in three themes that characterized the phases of transition to home and complex chronic illness care. Three themes, corresponding to the three time periods of data collection, included “getting back to normal” at 3 weeks, “becoming routine” at 3 months, and “facing a future” at 6 months. Challenges families experienced over the course of their transition are also described.
Practice Implications
The transition from hospital to home and complex chronic condition care is challenging and changes over time. Nurses are called upon to prepare parents to become knowledgeable and confident to care for the child after hospital discharge. Nurses can best support families in transition after SOT by anticipating and understanding their dynamic challenging complex care needs.
Recommended Citation
Lerret, Stacee M.; Johnson, Norah L.; and Haglund, Kristin, "Parents’ Perspectives on Caring for Children after Solid Organ Transplant" (2017). College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications. 532.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/nursing_fac/532
Comments
Accepted version. Journal for Specialists in Pediatric Nursing, Vol. 22, No. 3 (July 2017). DOI. © 2017 Wiley. Used with permission.