The aim of this study is to identify the field characteristics of in-hospital parents' groups of child cancer patients. A questionnaire survey based on a conceptual framework in reference to Lewin's field theory was conducted for the representatives of 15 such groups in pediatric cancer wards nationwide and 224 members of such groups. Statistical and content analyses were employed to extract the field characteristics of the group by aggregating structural and participation characteristics. As a result, it was elucidated that these groups carry a relevant meaning in being active within hospitals by keeping close relationships with medical professionals while providing 'connection with other parents, and psychological healing and sharing'. They were also relevant in acting as interest groups based on member desire for 1) information gathering 2) comradeship and psychological stability 3) motivation for future activities and 4) relationship with the hospital. Furthermore, these groups have orientations of 'psychological support', 'multi-angled information gathering' and 'creating a better caring environment for children', making them potentially important contributors for the treatment of childhood cancer patients. The study demonstrated the necessity of understanding for these characteristics of the group by medical professionals and to investigate establishing collaboration.

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Purpose: This study examined the path model of factors needed to predict the coping behavior during blood sampling in children aged 3-6 years. Materials and Methods: Fifty-two children aged 3-6 years were observed during blood sampling. Their coping behavior was analyzed using the Manifest Upset and Cooperation Scales. Their parents completed the questionnaires before the procedure. Multiple regression and path analyses were conducted. Permission was obtained from the ethical examination committee of the institution to which the researchers were affiliated. Results: The children's average age was 4.3±1.1 years (32 boys and 20 girls). All children had undergone blood sampling previously. Previous hospitalization experience correlated with the parents' prediction of their children's coping behavior, which in turn correlated with the children's coping behavior during blood sampling. Path analysis revealed that the parents' prediction based on the Manifest Upset and Cooperation Scales was the most significant factor predicting their children's coping behavior. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that it is important to take into consideration parents' prediction of their children's behavior before blood sampling.

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This study aimed to identify the risk factors associated with falling from a crib for pediatric patients. Participants were experts in pediatric nursing who underwent three rounds of the Delphi technique. During the first round, 14 nurses were interviewed regarding "the characteristics of pediatric patients likely to fall from a crib". In the second and third rounds, 65 and 52 nurses were asked 49 questions related to "the characteristics of pediatric patients likely to fall from a crib" using a scale from 1 (not dangerous) to 5 (very dangerous). The 34 identified risk factors were divided into different categories: "age and development (6 factors)", "sex (1 factor)", "character and personality (10 factors)", "diagnosis, symptoms, and treatment (4 factors)", "caregiver (9 factors)", and "environment (4 factors)". The current study found that important risk factors of falling from a crib for pediatric patients were "character, personality" and "caregiver".

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The purpose of this study was to clarify and understand the present nursing practices for children with hearing difficulties. In this study, a semi-structured interview was conducted among 8 nurses (experience term, 3-14 years) working at the otolaryngology ward in a general hospital. Data obtained from the interview were analyzed using the content analysis method. The findings suggest that nurses understand the characteristics of a child's hearing impairment and recognize the actions that result from the characteristics. Nurses caring for such children were conscious of the child's difficulty in communicating and the problems associated with administering nursing care. Thus, the recognition and knowledge of the hearing impairment of the child influenced the nursing care provided to them. Nurses believed that presence of the child's mother helped improve the quality of nursing care provided. On the other hand, nurses were doubtful of their ability to examine a child for linguistic communication difficulties because they were of the opinion that nursing care, which meets the child's needs, should be provided. Nurses gained experience while providing care to the children with hearing difficulties.

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The purpose of this study was to clarify the roles in child healthcare undertaken and reported by nurses at day care centers. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 nurses working at accredited day care centers in A Prefecture. Qualitative inductive analysis was performed using Berelson's content analysis method. Analysis yielded four core categories of child healthcare activities that these nurses recognized as the roles of nurses at day care centers: "support for children to ensure their health and safety," "support for parents and guardians to assist in child rearing," "developing systems for advancing the practice of child healthcare activities," and "developing the foundations for a child-rearing support network". Findings demonstrated that, from the perspective of health promotion, nurses at day care centers believed it was their role to promote self-care among children. They also supported parents from the perspective of child rearing. Furthermore, nurses at day care centers created the foundations for child-rearing support by mutually acknowledging and understanding the expertise of child care workers and nurses.

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The purpose of this study was to clarify the difficulties experienced by nurses at day care centers when undertaking child healthcare activities and examine the tasks and issues they face to further promote their activities. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 nurses working at accredited day care centers in A Prefecture. Qualitative inductive analysis was performed using Berelson's content analysis method. Analysis yielded five core categories of difficulties in the activities of nurses at day care centers: "unable to establish identity as a nurse at the day care center," "not satisfying learning needs to improve expertise," "difficulty communicating with parents and guardians," "not establishing an organized way or system for undertaking child healthcare activities," and "work environment not equipped to carry out child healthcare activities." In order for nurses to be further motivated to carry out their activities, the findings demonstrate the need to create learning environments that enable them to make decisions and give advice with confidence. In addition, in order to improve nurses' working environments to promote their child healthcare activities, the findings suggest that networks in and outside day care centers be established.

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The present study aimed to clarify the process by which parents with children requiring long-term medical care accept the child's home care, and their related feelings. A modified grounded theory approach was used to investigate 6 consenting parents with children requiring medical care. The process of accepting home care was found to comprise 9 categories and 24 concepts. Through participating in the child's medical care, parents were able to 'resolve to work with the child requiring medical care' and 'view medical care as one part of child rearing.' Reviewing relationships with the child as an issue for the whole family, including themselves, spouse and siblings, while considering home lifestyle to hospital discharge generated 'wavering resolve regarding living with a child requiring medical care' in parents. However, 'resolve to live in society with children requiring care solidified following discharge'.

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This study investigated the hope that parents have for the independence of children who have had congenital heart disease since infancy. Parents were asked open-ended questions concerning the degree of independence that they hope their child develops of the questionnaires mailed to 2000 parents, 424 responses were obtained and analyzed using Berelson's content analysis method, and the results were categorized as follows: four categories for infants, including "behave depending on disease and physical condition" and "prevent infection"; seven categories for school-age children, including "prevent infection", and "explain to neighbors and call for help"; nine categories for adolescents, including "prevent infection" and "socially independent"; and three categories for young adults, including "self-administration of health", "socially independent" and "prevent infection". Results from this study suggest that parents consider children who are able to call neighbors for help independent. Furthermore, when thinking about the independence of a child, parents should accept their roles and trust in their experience to allow them to recognize the growing independence of the child and support it properly.

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[in Japanese]

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[in Japanese]

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[in Japanese]

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This study examined the course of recovery in children after invasive treatment, which has not been fully investigated. In this study, unstructured interviews were conducted with 6 inpatient children, aged 4 to 9, and a qualitative descriptive analysis was performed. The course of recovery in children after invasive treatment consisted of a "decrease in coping responses", "feeling relieved", and an "increase in motivation for recovery". The decrease in coping responses was caused by stress, pain, and fears about treatment. The feeling of relief arose from supportive nursing intervention, demonstrating that the children were able to understand how to cope with treatment and formed a perspective on the future. The increased motivation for recovery demonstrated by the young patients was a motivating factors for holding on, seizing the opportunity to persevere and promoting self-recovery. While invasive treatment decreases coping responses in children, supportive nursing intervention may promote their recovery, providing them with a feeling of relief and increasing their motivation for recovery.

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[in Japanese]

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