title: School-age children's perceptions of their PICU hospitalization.
abstract: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to explore the effects of a PICU hospitalization on critically ill school- age children. Few studies have examined the impact of the PICU experience on children themselves. A convenience sample was recruited of 21 developmentally appropriate children who were aged 7-12 years and had never been hospitalized. Children were asked open-ended questions related to their PICU experience, frequency and effectiveness of coping strategies was measured, and drawings were used to evaluate anxiety. Although not detailed, most children did have some recollection of their PICU stay. People in the PICU (i.e., nurses, physicians) were remembered as good, while feelings the children had (i.e., tired, didn't like it) were described as what was bad about the PICU. Children's coping strategies scores were very low. Most children had an average level of anxiety based on analysis of their drawings. Children's repertoire of coping strategies may be limited by the PICU, especially while intubated. Nurses should never underestimate the effect their behavior and responsiveness has on children. Feasible coping strategies and use of therapeutic play for PICU children should be explored further.
authors.affiliation: Northeastern University School of Nursing, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Rhonda
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Board
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D001155:Art Therapy; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002648:Child; D002673:Child, Hospitalized / Q000523:psychology*; D003422:Critical Care / Q000523:psychology / Q000592:standards; D016638:Critical Illness / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006776:Hospitals, Pediatric; D006786:Hospitals, Urban; D006801:Humans; D015278:Intensive Care Units, Pediatric / Q000592:standards*; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010371:Pediatric Nursing / Q000592:standards; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States