Parents’ Communication Preferences Prior to the Interhospital Transfer of an Acutely-ill Child: A Qualitative Study

ABSTRACT Parental stress is a common theme in studies of parents during the inter-hospital transfer of an acutely ill child, however, little is known about their specific information needs at this critical juncture in care delivery. In this study we aimed to understand parents’ communication preferences and information needs immediately prior to the inter-hospital transfer of their acutely ill child. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 parents between March and October 2014 to explore their experiences of communication practices immediately prior to the transfer of their child from a secondary to a tertiary care center in Ireland. Data were analyzed using the modified Van Kaam method. Two key themes emerged: “worst-case scenario” and ability to absorb information. Parents value being prepared for the potential deterioration of their child during an inter-hospital transfer. However, information giving in this pre-transfer period needs to take account of parents’ compromised ability to absorb this detail due to exhaustion and stress at this time.