title: The Impact of Observed Trauma on Parents in a PICU.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore parents' experiences of "observed trauma," defined as traumatic events, unrelated to their own child, that parents/carers witness while in a PICU.
  
  
  METHODS
  Exploratory qualitative study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nineteen-bed mixed surgical/medical PICU in a tertiary university-affiliated children's hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Parents of 11 children, screened from a total sample of 100 children admitted to the PICU for greater than 48 hours.
  
  
  METHODS
  Face-to-face screening interviews were conducted with parents following their child's discharge from PICU. Parents who reported observed trauma were interviewed a second time to explore their experiences.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two questionnaires were designed, one to screen for observed trauma and a second one to guide semistructured interviews. Of 100 parents who participated in a structured screening interview, 19% reported observed trauma. Of the 19 parents, 11 completed the second interview. Significant themes included: involuntary exposure; privacy and confidentiality; empathy for children and their families; reflection and personal growth; and staff communication.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Observed trauma is not uncommon in the PICU. The results suggest that timely support may alleviate the short-term negative impact. Furthermore, some parents have reported positive aspects to their experience.
authors.affiliation: 1Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, NSW, Australia. 2Charles Sturt University, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Khanna
authors.forename: Julie K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Finlay
authors.forename: Vishal
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Jatana
authors.forename: Ann M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Gouffe
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Redshaw
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D002673:Child, Hospitalized; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004645:Empathy; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D015278:Intensive Care Units, Pediatric; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires