2017 Volume 37 Pages 244-253
Purpose: To identify the processes by which parents and nurses can support siblings visiting children hospitalized in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), and what kind of change occurred in the siblings through the visits.
Method: We observed nine siblings visiting children hospitalized in the PICU, and performed semi-structured interviews with four mothers and one pair of parents, who accompanied them. The observation and interview data were analyzed using a grounded theory approach.
Results: Parents and nurses supported siblings visiting children hospitalized in the PICU by «prompting them to approach the hospitalized child» «providing explanations to get siblings interested in the hospitalized child» «prompting them to touch the hospitalized child», and [bringing siblings to the center]. Through continued steps of related support, a change occurred in the siblings, specifically that they had a «feeling the hospitalized child was closer».
Conclusion: It is important to cause changes in siblings toward the «feeling the hospitalized children was closer». Nurses should support the siblings, in cooperation with parents, and provide the support that assists in [bringing siblings to the center].
