Experiences of mothers with children in emergency situations in a portuguese pediatric emergency department

Abstract

Objective: To describe the experiences of mothers accompanying their children in critical condition; to identify the advantages and disadvantages of the presence/absence of parents in the emergency department accompanying their children in critical condition; and to identify the needs felt by the mothers accompanying their children in critical condition. Methods: A qualitative, phenomenological study. Seven semi-structured interviews were carried out with mothers of children/adolescents in critical condition who required emergency care in a pediatric emergency department. Results: Four main themes emerged from data analysis: ‘Me: Mother’ (the mother’s feelings and experiences), ‘A Part of Me: My child’ (experiences related to the interaction with the child), ‘Me and the Others: Professionals’ (needs, positive and negative aspects), and ’Me in here: In the Emergency Department’ (presence or absence and other factors). Final considerations: Most mothers accompanied their children during their stay in the emergency department and reported experiencing feelings such as anguish, helplessness, despair, sorrow, and sadness. The mothers described strategies for coping with the critical situation and identified the need for the presence of a professional dedicated to passing on information. They also identified positive and negative aspects of the performance of health professionals.