Effects of hospitalization derived from a family diary. Review of the literature.
Management of psychosocial issues associated with hospitalization are essential to the practice of pediatrics. The personal experience of our son's prolonged hospitalization due to osteomyelitis (23 days) was detailed by an ongoing diary. The impact of this hospitalization on our family is presented, including: 1) normal but bothersome behavioral changes in the patient and his sibling; 2) the effects of excessive parental stress; 3) the development of parental coping strategies; and 4) stresses and coping strategies specific to a physician-father. Specific recommendations are presented to assist health professionals in addressing psychosocial issues.
Schum
T R
TR
Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee.
D002652:Child Behavior; D002673:Child, Hospitalized / Q000523:psychology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D012801:Sibling Relations; D013315:Stress, Psychological