Parental Presence and Involvement in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU): Parents’ Experiences.

Abstract

Background: Parental presence and involvement in Paediatric Intensive Care Units (PICUs) play a critical role in a child’s care and psychological well-being. Additionally, parental presence has become a cornerstone in implementing a family-centred care (FCC) model. Understanding parents' experiences during this challenging time is essential in providing strategies for enabling their presence to promote a better PICU environment for children.

Aim: This systematised literature review aims to synthesise qualitative evidence that explore parents' experiences regarding their presence and involvement in the PICU.

Methods: The search was conducted on four databases: CINAHL, Medline, Embase, and PsycINFO covering the period from 2014 to 2024. Eligibility criteria included qualitative studies that address parents’ experiences in all types of PICU that allow unrestricted parental presence. Studies that address their presence during cardiopulmonary resuscitation or in end-of-life conditions were excluded. The Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) checklist and Lincoln and Guba’s (1985) criteria were used to assess the trustworthiness of the included studies.

Results: Eighteen full-text articles were screened for eligibility, of which six met the inclusion criteria; these ranged from medium to high quality. The review identified four themes across the studies via thematic synthesis: (i) PICU environment, (ii) defining parental roles in PICU settings, (iii) the need for support, and (iv) the value of information sharing.

Conclusions: The PICU experience was found to be challenging and filled with a mix of emotions. The PICU team method of involving parents should be tailored according to specific parents’ needs and preferences. Mutual understanding and clear communication between parents and the PICU team are essential to accomplish a strong partnership and provide support during PICU admissions.