Caring for the Acutely, Severely Ill Child—A Multifaceted Situation with Paradoxical Elements: Swedish Healthcare Professionals' Experiences

Abstract

The aim of this study was to describe healthcare professionals' experience of caring for acutely, severely ill children in hospital in Sweden. Five focus group interviews were conducted with nurses, nurse assistants and physicians comprising a total of 20 participants. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. An overall theme emerged that describes healthcare professionals' experiences as: "being in a multifaceted area of tension with paradoxical elements". The theme is based on three categories: proficiency of the individuals and the team is the fundamental base; interactions are crucial in an area of tension; and wellbeing of the individual is a balance of contradictory emotions. With maintained focus on the ill child, proficiency is the fundamental base, interactions are crucial, and moreover contradictory emotions are described. The interplay based on proficiency may influence the assessments and treatments of acutely, severely ill children. Recognizing the multifaceted area of tension with paradoxical elements, practical teamwork exercises, a structured approach, and assessment tools could be a possible way to develop interprofessional team collaboration to improve the care of acutely, severely ill children in order to increase patient safety.