Julia A. Ciurria , Jennifer Reyes Lin , Cassandra M. Pruitt , Bryan A. Sisk
{"title":"Functions of communication during emergency care of children with medical complexity: Caregiver perspectives","authors":"Julia A. Ciurria , Jennifer Reyes Lin , Cassandra M. Pruitt , Bryan A. Sisk","doi":"10.1016/j.pec.2025.108667","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>We investigated communication experiences of caregivers of children with medical complexity (CMC) during emergency care.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Fifteen caregivers of CMC participated in semi-structured interviews regarding communication while seeking care for their child in the emergency department (ED). Thematic analysis was applied using a previously established functional communication model as an <em>a priori</em> framework.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Each of the previously established 8 core functions of communication were identified in this population. “Building relationships” manifested as clinicians soliciting caregiver input and responding to the needs of the caregiver. “Exchanging information” included clearly explaining next steps to caregivers. “Responding to emotions” acknowledged the inherent distress of seeking emergency care. “Providing validation” included recognizing caregivers as the expert of their own child. “Enabling self-management” manifested as identifying caregiver needs and directing toward resources. “Making decisions” manifested as involving caregivers in the decision-making process and recognizing caregiver decision fatigue. “Managing uncertainty” involved developing plans with caregivers. “Supporting hope” was the least commonly described function and manifested as emphasizing positive aspects of a child’s condition. Many caregivers described negative communication experiences in which their concerns and insights were unheard or invalidated.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Caregivers of CMC described communication experiences and goals that align with 8 communication functions that were identified in other serious childhood illnesses with unique operationalizations.</div></div><div><h3>Practice implications</h3><div>This communication framework can support ED clinicians in better understanding the communication needs of caregivers of CMC during emergency care.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49714,"journal":{"name":"Patient Education and Counseling","volume":"134 ","pages":"Article 108667"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1000,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Patient Education and Counseling","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0738399125000345","RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"2025/1/14 0:00:00","PubModel":"Epub","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"PUBLIC, ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Objective
We investigated communication experiences of caregivers of children with medical complexity (CMC) during emergency care.
Methods
Fifteen caregivers of CMC participated in semi-structured interviews regarding communication while seeking care for their child in the emergency department (ED). Thematic analysis was applied using a previously established functional communication model as an a priori framework.
Results
Each of the previously established 8 core functions of communication were identified in this population. “Building relationships” manifested as clinicians soliciting caregiver input and responding to the needs of the caregiver. “Exchanging information” included clearly explaining next steps to caregivers. “Responding to emotions” acknowledged the inherent distress of seeking emergency care. “Providing validation” included recognizing caregivers as the expert of their own child. “Enabling self-management” manifested as identifying caregiver needs and directing toward resources. “Making decisions” manifested as involving caregivers in the decision-making process and recognizing caregiver decision fatigue. “Managing uncertainty” involved developing plans with caregivers. “Supporting hope” was the least commonly described function and manifested as emphasizing positive aspects of a child’s condition. Many caregivers described negative communication experiences in which their concerns and insights were unheard or invalidated.
Conclusion
Caregivers of CMC described communication experiences and goals that align with 8 communication functions that were identified in other serious childhood illnesses with unique operationalizations.
Practice implications
This communication framework can support ED clinicians in better understanding the communication needs of caregivers of CMC during emergency care.
期刊介绍：
Patient Education and Counseling is an interdisciplinary, international journal for patient education and health promotion researchers, managers and clinicians. The journal seeks to explore and elucidate the educational, counseling and communication models in health care. Its aim is to provide a forum for fundamental as well as applied research, and to promote the study of organizational issues involved with the delivery of patient education, counseling, health promotion services and training models in improving communication between providers and patients.
京公网安备 11010802042870号
京ICP备2023020795号-1
分享
求助内容：
应助结果提醒方式：
扫码关注我们
