Parents’ Experience of Extended Viewing in a Paediatric Hospice: A Qualitative Study

Parents’ Experience of Extended Viewing in a Paediatric Hospice: A Qualitative Study

Smith P; Teasdale E; Sheppard-Law S

International Journal of Palliative Nursing

2023

Hospice

Background: The rising prevalence of life-limiting conditions in children and young people warrants an evaluation of paediatric palliative care, hospice services and delivered care. Aim: First, this study aimed to develop a deeper understanding of how extended viewing is experienced by the parents of a deceased child (or young person) with a life-limiting condition, based in Australia. Second, this study aimed to evaluate the quality of bereavement care delivered during the first few days after death. Findings: A total of 17 bereaved parents of 13 children completed an interview. In-depth interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed. While the authors acknowledge the complexity and individual nature of grief, four broad themes were identified, namely the importance of the 'physical environment' being conducive to spending time with their child; 'seeing their child'; 'time to say goodbye'; and 'supportive care'. Conclusion: The findings of this study reinforce that extended viewing can provide therapeutic benefits for parents, as well as the importance of a skilled palliative care nursing workforce in assisting with grief management.

Article information provided for research and reference use only. PedPalASCNET does not hold any rights over the resource listed here. All rights are retained by the journal listed under publisher and/or the creator(s).

March List 2023