Identifying a Nursing Interaction Process for Preschoolers’ Postoperative Recovery

Abstract

  The purpose of this study was to identify a nursing interaction process for preschoolers that would aid in their recovery in the early postoperative period following intrusive surgical procedures. The study design was descriptive, involving isolation of qualitative factors. The methods of data collection were participatory observation of child-nurse interactions and reflective interviews with participating nurses. Data were analyzed using the constant comparative method, known as the grounded theory approach. The study participants were nine children（age 3-5 years）who had undergone surgery, their families, and 42 nurses. Analysis of observation and interview data identified the concept of the “nursing process that enables children ability to perform activities of daily living.” This concept includes the “process of the child reclaiming their ability to perform activities of daily living” and the “process of continuing to invest energy in protecting oneself.” The “process of reclaiming their ability to perform activities of daily living” is a step-by-step process in which children reclaim their ability to perform activities of daily living through interaction with nurses. The stages observed in this process were “protecting oneself from confusing situations,” “achieving the sensation of daijoubu,” “reclaiming self-ability,” and “reclaiming one’s normal self.”