Children's experiences of hospitalisation.

Abstract

This article reports on children?s experiences of hospitalisation. Data were collected via semi-structured interviews with eleven children aged 7-14 years from four paediatric units in England. The children identified a range of fears and concerns, which included: separation from parents and family; unfamiliar environment; investigations and treatments; and loss of self-determination. Children?s loss of self-determination over personal needs exacerbated their fears and concerns. It needs to be recognised that compliance with hospital routines is a variable, which influences children?s reaction to hospitalisation. Findings clearly indicate that children need adequate information tailored to their needs, that their views are sought in the planning and delivery of their care and that hospital environments need to be made more child-centred. Interventions designed to reduce children's stress during hospitalisation are not only likely to decrease their stress at the time, but they are also likely to influence how future experiences are appraised and managed.