Objective: Identify specific considerations for Certified Nurse Specialists in Child Health Nursing gathering information to assess family functioning in families with children admitted to hospital for long periods of time. Methods: Individual interviews were conducted with pediatric nurse specialist nurses working in wards with numerous long-term hospitalizations, and qualitative analysis was conducted. Results: Six categories and 16 subcategories-were found. Pediatric nurse specialists have the basic attitude of 【respecting the family and eliciting information as it is】, 【building a relationship with the family and seeking the family’s true intentions】, 【listening while assessing the family’s current situation】, 【devising ways to avoid missing the timing of listening】, 【deepening and expanding the information that is of concern】. The team was found to be utilizing the following techniques: 【Aware of the need to obtain information effectively as a team】. Discussion: The basic attitude of pediatric specialist nurses, information gathering techniques, and awareness of taking information as a team should be made available to other nurses for information gathering.

 Introduction: One of the issues faced by children receiving medical care is the lack of support in the selection of schools. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the factors considered by parents in the school selection process for their children receiving medical care and to obtain suggestions for preschool support. Methods: Five parents of children receiving medical care were questioned on the factors affecting their decision-making in the school selection process for their children and the current evaluation of their children’s health status. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and analyzed using Steps for Coding and Theorization. Results: The factors affecting the school selection process included psychological support throughout the job-hunting period; the school destination decision period; the entire term comprising “hearsay information gathering,” “matching,” and “experiential information gathering; ” and the parents’ thoughts. However, it was a challenge to obtain school attendance information, concerns of multiaxis conflicts, superiority and inferiority complexes affecting the school destination choice, and the feelings associated with the school’s culture. Discussion: Appropriate support should be provided to increase the confidence during selection, such as enhancing the school attendance support system and clarifying the subjective values. These results suggest that acquiring the necessary and relevant information on school attendance consideration and enhancing the psychological support will help parents in selecting a school destination with a sense of security and satisfaction.

 Purpose: This study aimed to define specific practices used by nurses to support adolescent patients with cancer and their parents in end-of-life decisions. Methods: This descriptive, qualitative study involved semi-structured interviews with nurses with over five years of experience in pediatric nursing, including experience in end-of-life care for adolescent patients with cancer. Results: The interviews identified 65 codes representing nurses’ practices to support decision-making. These codes were organized into 19 subcategories and five main categories: (1) confirming the patient’s or parent’s treatment plan preferences, (2) coordinating to enable patients to live as they want, (3) preparing to explain with patients, (4) building trusting relationships with patients and their parents, (5) understanding patients’ thoughts and decision-making processes. Discussion: The findings suggest that nurses assess adolescent patients’ decision-making processes, recognizing that these patients may lack adequate information to make fully informed choices. Furthermore, actively involving patients early in their hospitalization is crucial for establishing trust in decision-making.

 The aim of this study was to determine when skilled nurses perceive the “Nursing Support Model for Fostering Independence in Preschoolers with Congenital Heart Disease,” which we have been developing, as being of practical use by conducting a questionnaire-based survey. The answers of skilled nurses to an open-ended question showed that nurses believed that all 34 items of the Nursing Support Model could be used. Furthermore, the timing for using the Nursing Support Model was categorized into: times related to disease treatment and testing, such as upon admission, during explanations from doctors, during tests, procedures, and surgeries, during nursing care, at the time of discharge, at the time of outpatient visits; times related to preschoolers’ life events, such as starting nursery or kindergarten and school; and times related to the reactions of preschoolers and their families, such as when preschoolers dislike something and when family members respond to medical professionals’ questions on behalf of preschoolers. The “Nursing Support Model for Fostering Independence in Preschoolers with Congenital Heart Disease” should become easier to use through the incorporation of the appropriate timing for using the model, as shown in this study.

 This study aimed to understand the thoughts of childhood siblings on living with a child requiring medical care. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight individuals who have siblings with illnesses. Qualitative descriptive analysis identified eight categories of thoughts. The participants understood that their ill siblings required medical care, felt mutual affection, perceived living together as normal, valued the health of their siblings with illnesses, and hoped that all family members would strive to protect their children with illnesses. The participants recognized the positive and negative aspects of living together, expressed concerns for other siblings of children with illnesses, and hoped for a better society in which children requiring medical care and their families could thrive. This study highlights the importance of nursing support focusing on siblings’ developmental stages and changes in their relationships with children requiring medical care. This underscores the significance of engaging with siblings while observing whether they can express their feelings, provide information on available services for siblings, and create opportunities for the public to learn about children requiring medical care and their families.

 A qualitative descriptive study was conducted to understand the impenetrability of children’s self-care agency and the nursing care that promotes this agency, as perceived by nurses in a pediatric intensive care setting. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 nurses, and the results were analyzed using a modified grounded theory approach. According to the findings, nurses perceive that, due to sedation, unstable conditions, and factors specific to the pediatric intensive care setting, the [impenetrability of children’s self-care agency is amplified]. Despite this perceived impenetrability, nurses strive to identify and affirm children’s self-care agency to [foster the power of living without frequent exhaustion], [prevent the negative effects of illness and treatment and support necessary development and daily life], and [draw out children’s self-care agency during recovery as per the conditions and needs of the children]. Moreover, the study revealed that, as a result of nursing care, changes in children’s self-care agency can be identified. Nursing interventions that enhance children’s self-care agency [foster children’s power of living and help them progress toward recovery].

 In this study, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 mothers of infants or young children to investigate how they cope with challenging behaviors exhibited by their children. The data obtained were analyzed qualitatively and descriptively. As a result, eleven categories of coping strategies employed by mothers in response to their children’s challenging behaviors were identified. Strategies mothers used that directly involved their children included “anticipate child’s challenging behaviors,” “facilitate changing the child’s focus,” “provide educational guidance,” “respect the child,” and “use coercion.” Cognitive coping strategies of mothers included “compromise,” “maintain a certain level of detachment,” “maintain mental calm,” “reflect,” and “have a long-term vision for the child’s growth.” Additionally, use of social resources by mothers as a coping strategy included “use resources other than themselves.” It is suggested that the optimum form of support involves working together with mothers to identify coping strategies that best suit their children’s development stage as well as their own circumstances, thereby ensuring that they have multiple coping options on hand and will not have to resort to inappropriate measures such as corporal punishment or other forms of physical coercion.

 This study aimed to identify nurses’ perspectives on family instructions for the first overnight stay of children being treated for pediatric cancer. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with five nurses at the pediatric cancer base hospital and the collaborating hospital, following which five categories were identified : “Coordinating with the family for the child to do what they want so that the overnight stay will motivate the child to continue subsequent treatments,” “Assessing child and family concerns and readiness, determining the best time for instruction, and preparing for the first overnight stay,” “Providing comprehensive instructions on what is necessary for the first overnight stay of a child with pediatric cancer and grasping the family’s ability to manage the stay,” “Explaining the key points of CVC management that family are responsible for during the overnight stay to reduce family anxiety and burden,” “Clearly presenting to the family the standards for protecting the child’s life to deal with problems during the first overnight stay.” These results implied that family instructions for the first overnight stay started before the stay was decided, and nurse perspectives towards instruction were focused on maintaining treatment motivation and clear criteria to deal with problems efficiently.

 The aim of the current study was to elucidate reasons why a mother of an individual with severe motor and intellectual disabilities refused to transfer her adult child to an adult department as part of transitional medical care. The subject was a mother of an individual with severe motor and intellectual disabilities residing in the Tokai region. The mother refused to transfer her adult child to an adult department as part of transitional medical care. The research methodology consisted of two interviews about the child’s experience with the transfer. Minor events in the transcript were identified, and the through line from one event to another was analyzed. This through line was the main reason for the refusal of the transfer. The analysis revealed two main reasons for refusing the transfer: 1. Continuing to receive necessary medical care: When the severely disabled patient’s condition worsened after the transfer, the pediatric department would not accept the patient, so the mother wanted her child to continue receiving necessary medical care; and 2. Perceived differences in the value of life: Transfer was a matter of life and death for the mother, but the difference was that the medical staff did not seem to feel the same way. As described in the discussion, results suggested that providing an opportunity for family members to talk with the pediatric department is essential.

 The purpose of this study was to develop a scale of mothers’ perceptions of their 1- to 4-year-old children’s use of electronic media devices. We developed a 29-item scale based on a review of surface and content validity. Mothers whose children were enrolled in 40 certified kindergartens in the Kyushu-Okinawa area were targeted. The scale was distributed to 3,000 mothers, with 548 mothers responding (18.3％ response rate). Ultimately, 517 mothers were included in the analysis. Item analysis and exploratory factor analysis (main factor method, Promax rotation) were used to extract 15 items and four factors: I want to promote my child’s development, I use it to reduce the burden of housework and childcare and to ensure the safety of my children. I use it habitually without my intention, and I want my child to be quiet in public places. Reliability coefficients for all items were α＝.78 and stability coefficients were ρ＝.71 to.81. Criterion-related validity showed a positive correlation r＝.368 (p＜.01) between the Mother Role Awareness Scale (negative and negative) and Factor 2. This scale could be used to help in providing health guidance according to mothers’ individual perceptions.

 Objective : This study aimed to clarify the effects of a learning program for nurses that was developed to support the “ganbatta” behavior of young children undergoing blood sampling based on changes in nurses’ perceptions and practice.

 Methods : The study subjects were two nurses working on a pediatric ward of Hospital A in their third year since graduation. The learning program consisted of a mini-lecture and work after the mini-lecture. Interviews conducted after the learning program were qualitatively and inductively analyzed to evaluate its effects.

 Results : A total of 17 categories, 50 subcategories, and 93 codes were identified. The effects on perceptions and practice were “willingness to practice as a result of obtaining evidence” and “an increased frequency of care as a result of a willingness to practice” as a result of the learning program.

 Discussion : The present learning program supported the development of a cycle of nurses’ reflective practices in a circle-like manner and promoted care that supports young children’s “ganbatta” behavior.

 The purpose of this research was to conduct a program that incorporates peer support for mothers whose children are under growth hormone (GH) therapy and evaluate its effectiveness. A program consisting of a 60-minute session per month held for 3 months was conducted with two mothers whose children were undergoing GH therapy and one mother whose child had completed GH therapy less than 2 years ago. Among the survey items, program satisfaction, self-efficacy, and quality of life (QOL) were surveyed using a questionnaire. Program perceptions and needs regarding the program were surveyed through interviews. Self-efficacy after the program increased by one point for two participants and did not change for the third. The mean QOL score increased slightly for all participants after the program. Participants mentioned that “they were inspired by the other mothers and became more positive about the therapy” after the program. The survey results suggested the usefulness of the program; however, the small sample size limited the ability to evaluate its effectiveness. Future studies will need to increase the sample size and further evaluate the effectiveness of the program.

 The purpose of this study was to investigate the current practices and emerging trends in vital sign measurement exercises focusing on children. A search was conducted using Ichushi-Web (Japan Medical Abstracts Society database), and 19 articles were identified for analysis. The articles were organized in terms of year of publication, exercise targets and tools, exercise case studies, exercise methods, and evaluation methods. Furthermore, changes in these aspects over time were examined. Studies on vital sign measurement exercises for children have been published regularly. Many of the exercise methods employed model dolls, and efforts were made to simulate actual situations by entailing responses to audiovisual materials and these model dolls. The methods of exercise evolved over time, from task-oriented training to simulation-based training. Evaluation methods tended to include student-led assessments and feedback in addition to technical evaluation. The findings underscore the importance of developing methods of practice that enable students to engage in concrete pediatric patient simulations by devising contextualized examples, teaching materials, and scenario-based setups, along with integration of simulation-based education.

 This study aimed to determine the state of learning of nurses with limited pediatric nursing experience working in mixed wards and explore their views on pediatric nursing. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven nurses who had less than three years of experience in pediatric nursing and were working in a mixed adult/pediatric ward. All interviews were conducted based on an interview guide and lasted approximately 30 minutes. The data collected were analyzed qualitatively and inductively. A total of 109 sentences were extracted and classified into 53 codes, 16 categories, and 4 broader categories. The four broader categories were: ・ “Nursing practice and consideration for families while experiencing the rewards and difficulties in pediatric nursing,” ・ “Learning pediatric nursing through practice,” ・ “Anxiety about the current state of learning in pediatric nursing,” and・ “Prioritization of learning adult nursing along with the motivation to learn pediatric nursing.” The results highlight the need to clarify the training content and methods the nurses require. They also emphasize improving pediatric nursing education.

 Advances in medicine have led to an increase in the number of children with medical complexities. However, this often necessitates that families residing near hospitals are adequately equipped to handle emergencies, thus limiting their choice of residence. This study investigates the emotional experiences of parents raising children with medical complexities on a remote island. This study aimed to identify the specific types of nursing support required for individuals to live in remote island. Data were collected from two sets of parents using self-administered questionnaires and analyzed using a qualitative synthesis approach. The findings illuminate the complex emotional landscape that these parents navigate. They grapple with challenges related to emergency preparedness, social stigma, difficulties in expressing true feelings, and the substantial burdens of caregiving. However, they also derive solace from island life and harbor deep aspirations for their children’s development. To ensure that families raising children with medical complexities living in remote areas have peace of mind, healthcare professionals must provide comprehensive support. This includes bolstering the emergency response capabilities of caregivers, fostering greater societal understanding of the unique needs of these families, and implementing strategies to mitigate the burdens of caregiving.

 This study aimed to determine the quality of life (QOL) and level of depression and relationship in pediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease, in Japan. A web-based questionnaire survey was conducted from September 2022 to June 2023. Twenty-eight affected children (18 females and 10 males, mean age 15.3±1.6 years), aged between 11 and 17 years at the time of the survey, were included in the analysis. The results showed that for the QOL components the lowest mean score was for emotional functioning, which consists of dissatisfaction with illness and worry about future health. The depression components had a mean score of 8.14±5.08 out of a maximum of 27, with a mean score indicating mild depression. Psychological support for affected children to have an adaptive perception of their illness and psychological and emotional support aimed at reducing their level of depression are important.