The experiences of parents and nurses of hospitalised infants requiring oxygen therapy for severe bronchiolitis: A phenomenological study

Thesis


Peeler, Alison. (2011). The experiences of parents and nurses of hospitalised infants requiring oxygen therapy for severe bronchiolitis: A phenomenological study [Thesis]. https://doi.org/10.4226/66/5a961145c685b
AuthorsPeeler, Alison
Qualification nameMaster of Philosophy (MPhil)
Abstract

Objectives: Annually, bronchiolitis is a major cause of children's hospital admissions. Children suffering from respiratory distress are provided supplemental oxygen therapy via a headbox. Whilst effective in treating the child physically, the headbox can be very restrictive and limits parental access to their child. This form of oxygen therapy can have a detrimental effect on parental bonding, their relationship with their child, and the parents' ability to fulfil their parenting role. The aim of this study was to investigate the lived experiences of parents and nurses who have had or cared for a child admitted to hospital for severe bronchiolitis and received two types of oxygen therapy; headbox oxygen and high flow nasal prong oxygen therapy. This phenomenon has not been investigated previously. Methods: A descriptive phenomenological design was used to interview a purposive sample of 12 parents and 12 nurses. Results: Several themes emerged from data analysis: 1. It was horrific. We didn't know if she would live or die; 2. I didn't know what was happening; 3. I think some parents do get quite upset; 4. All that I wanted to do was hold her and keep her with me; 5. I felt inadequate, more than useless; 6. I needed her to feel my heart beat; 7. Look but don't touch; 8. I stayed with her day and night and; 9. Babies are hard work in the head box because you can't pick them up. These themes were then divided into three domains; Fear, Parent child interaction, and Technical caring. Conclusions: The mothers found the situation of having a child in a headbox frightening, stating that lack of knowledge and understanding, fear of their child dying, isolation from their child, unfamiliar environments, and the inability to attend to their child's day-to-day care were all contributing factors.;Some of these fears were present when their child received high flow nasal prong oxygen therapy but the increased interaction with their baby allowed the mothers to feel more useful and less frightened. The nurses in the study recognised to a degree these themes surrounding the parent child relationship yet were more concerned about clinical issues involved with caring for a child in a headbox such as safety and ergonomic restrictions. The nurses all stated how the high flow nasal prong oxygen system also improved safety and clinical outcomes.

Year2011
PublisherAustralian Catholic University
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.4226/66/5a961145c685b
Research GroupSchool of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine
Final version
Publication dates01 Mar 2011
Permalink -

https://acuresearchbank.acu.edu.au/item/8889x/the-experiences-of-parents-and-nurses-of-hospitalised-infants-requiring-oxygen-therapy-for-severe-bronchiolitis-a-phenomenological-study

Download files

  • 86
    total views
  • 162
    total downloads
  • 2
    views this month
  • 7
    downloads this month
These values are for the period from 19th October 2020, when this repository was created.

Export as

Related outputs

Evaluation of a paediatric emergency department : A three-phase study
Peeler, Alison. (2021). Evaluation of a paediatric emergency department : A three-phase study [PhD Thesis]. Australian Catholic University School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine https://doi.org/10.26199/acu.8x1w9
Parents’ experiences of care in a paediatric emergency department : A phenomenological inquiry
Peeler, Alison, Fulbrook, Paul, Edward, Karen-Leigh and Kinnear, Frances B.. (2019). Parents’ experiences of care in a paediatric emergency department : A phenomenological inquiry. Australasian Emergency Care. 22(2), pp. 113-118. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.auec.2018.12.004
An evaluation of staff transitioning from a combined adult/child emergency department to a new paediatric emergency department: A qualitative study
Peeler, Alison, Fulbrook, Paul Richard, Edward, Karen-Leigh and Kinnear, Frances B.. (2016). An evaluation of staff transitioning from a combined adult/child emergency department to a new paediatric emergency department: A qualitative study. Australasian Emergency Nursing Journal. 19(3), pp. 153 - 158. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aenj.2016.05.004
The experiences of parents and nurses of hospitalised infants requiring oxygen therapy for severe bronchiolitis : A phenomenological study
Peeler, Alison, Fulbrook, Paul and Kildea, Susan. (2015). The experiences of parents and nurses of hospitalised infants requiring oxygen therapy for severe bronchiolitis : A phenomenological study. Journal of Child Health Care. 19(2), pp. 216 - 228. https://doi.org/10.1177/1367493513503587