Journal article 708 views
Protecting, providing for and participating in care: Fathers experiences of caring for their sick child in hospital
Ruth Davies
Journal of Advanced Nursing, Volume: 69, Issue: 6, Pages: 1390 - 1399
Swansea University Author: Ruth Davies
Abstract
This ethnographic field study involved 150 hours of observation on two children's ward in England and interviews with twelve fathers and seven registered children's nurses. The aim of the study was to gain an increased understanding of fathers’ experiences during their child’s stay in hosp...
| Published in: | Journal of Advanced Nursing |
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| Published: |
2013
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| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa17855 |
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| Abstract: |
This ethnographic field study involved 150 hours of observation on two children's ward in England and interviews with twelve fathers and seven registered children's nurses. The aim of the study was to gain an increased understanding of fathers’ experiences during their child’s stay in hospital as an unplanned admission for acute illness or injury.Although family-centred care is promoted in children’s nursing internationally research has in the main focused on motherswhilst fathers’ contribution to care remains under explored. Findings from this study showed that fathers wanted to be with their sick child in hospital and made essential contributions to the whole family’s experience of hospitalisation. In particular, three aspects of their role were identified which included, protecting, providing for the familyand and participating in care. Fathers, just like mothers, wanted to be with and care for their child but faced challenges in doing so. Findings show that health professionals need to take account of the significant role fathers play in caring for their sick child in hospital alongside paid work and caring for well siblings. |
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| Keywords: |
Fathers, hospital, sick child, ethnography, qualitative |
| College: |
Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences |
| Issue: |
6 |
| Start Page: |
1390 |
| End Page: |
1399 |