Abstract
Aim: This review presents a narrative overview of the existing literature relating to the child’s experience of being admitted to hospital from the perspectives of children in hospital and children’s nurses who provide the majority of their care. Methods: A narrative review of the literature was undertaken-relevant work was identified through a process of selection using a broad time period, key search terms and a number of appropriate data bases. Data was initially extracted from each study using a data extraction sheet which identified the author(s), date and source of publication, study design, key findings, limitations and recommendations. The extracted data was then added to a summary table and based on this key dominant themes were identified. These provided the foundation for the formulation and the synthesis of a coherent narrative. There were 51 papers included in the review. Findings: The review therefore presents the views of two groups-(1) children who stayed overnight and (2) children’s nurses. The main findings of the narrative review are organized thematically. The views of nurses caring for the child in hospital suggest challenges exist within time restraints (to provide care), communication skills and an environment which may isolate and separate the child from their family and other children. The main themes emerging in respect of the hospital experience of children are represented as relating to communication, environment/ ward design, play, isolation/separation and the child’s relationship with family and children’s nursing to be particularly important to the child in hospital. Conclusion: Both hospital ward/environment and children’s nurse differ greatly to the child’s home and family.
Highlights
This review was undertaken as part of an empirical study which led to the award, doctorate in education
The main themes emerging in respect of the hospital experience of children are represented as relating to communication, environment/ ward design, play, isolation/separation and the child’s relationship with family and children’s nursing to be important to the child in hospital
With the child’s view of the children’s nurse overall a positive one, their experience of staying in hospital could be improved in relation to communication and environment. This narrative review presents the findings of previous empirical studies relating to the child’s experience of hospital from the perspectives of hospitalized children and children’s nurses who are charged with their care. It notes that whilst most of the work accessed employs qualitative methods, it is for the most part descriptive with very few studies drawing on a conceptual framework to guide their study
Summary
This review was undertaken as part of an empirical study which led to the award, doctorate in education. The paper is organized as follows: why the study was undertaken, a definition of the process followed by an overview of the literature accessed and a broad analysis of emerging themes. The timeframe covered; the scope of the studies examined; identify theoretical frameworks; the methodologies employed; the core themes identified with noted inconsistencies and overall findings. The material in each section notes the studies which relate to each theme; highlights what they have in common; notes the points of difference and any inconsistencies in respect of findings. The review tries to account for any differences in terms of the information available from the studies. Methodological approaches, differences in conceptualization and outline of synthesis by theme
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