Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine how mothers who decided to have their homebound patients with severe motor and intellectual disability (SMID) undergo a medical procedure (i.e., creation of a tracheostomy or gastrostomy and starting of mechanical ventilation) evaluated their decision. A qualitative and inductive analysis was conducted by interviewing 12 mothers whose child with SMID was visiting a facility for disabled patients or a home nursing station and had undergone a medical procedure at least one year prior to the study. It was found that although mothers interpreted their decision to have their child undergo a medical procedure as “good,” their confidence in their decision was shaken when they were confronted with their children's reaction and changes to their condition after the medical procedure. In addition, some mothers interpreted their decision positively because they were able to experience their child persevering. The above results suggest that when evaluating their decision to have their child undergo a medical procedure, mothers need the assistance of a health care provider who has a constant understanding of their children's progress.
