Parental response to child's isolation during the SARS outbreak.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the needs, uncertainties, and experiences of parents during their child's hospitalization with highly suspected severe acute respiratory syndrome (HSS), and to identify ways to improve their psychological preparedness and communication with health care professionals and their isolated children during future infectious disease outbreaks.


METHODS
Qualitative, semistructured interviews were conducted in July 2003 with parents of HSS pediatric patients. Seventeen HSS patients were hospitalized in a pediatric outpatient clinic of a major academic medical center in Hong Kong, between March 20 and May 28, 2003, during severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). Seven parents (41%) consented to participate in the study.


RESULTS
Four major themes were identified from the interviews: 1) fear of immediate isolation and infection control procedures, 2) sources of anxiety, 3) coping, and 4) communication with children and health care professionals.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings indicate a need to improve the psychological preparedness of the parents regarding the child's immediate isolation during hospitalization. Ample preparation and appropriate communication among parents, health care workers, and children might minimize fear and anxiety, sustain trust, and facilitate mutual understanding during an infectious disease outbreak.
Chan
Sophia S C
SS
Department of Nursing Studies, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China. nssophia@hkucc.hku.hk
Leung
Daisy
D
Chui
Helena
H
Tiwari
Agnes F Y
AF
Wong
Emmy M Y
EM
Wong
David C N
DC
Barnsteiner
Jane H
JH
Lau
Yu-Lung
YL
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D005260:Female; D006723:Hong Kong / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D010356:Patient Isolation / Q000523:psychology*; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D045169:Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*