Abstract
INTRODUCTION: When a seriously ill and dying parent is hospitalized, the families are at risk of developing problems. Only sparse evidence is available on the effects of creating family-friendly rooms in hospitals.
AIM: This study investigates how a seriously ill parent to children aged 0-18 experiences staying in a hospital room with family-friendly furnishing.
METHODS: From September 2012 to September 2015, seriously ill and dying patients with children ages 0-18 were offered the opportunity to stay in a family-friendly room at the North Denmark Regional Hospital. The sick parents were interviewed about how the changed room impacted themselves, their children, and their family.
RESULTS: The analysis led to three themes: (1) The ability to visit a sick parent, (2) maintaining family functions and relationships, and (3) room for children and adults.
CONCLUSION: By offering the families a hospital room with cozy furniture and a big TV screen, seriously ill parents see that their children are more comfortable when visiting the hospital. A family-friendly hospital is not just an idealistic thought, it is a real opportunity to improve the final period of a dying parent's life.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal |
| Volume | 17 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| Pages (from-to) | 127-134 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| ISSN | 1937-5867 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Jan 2024 |
Keywords
- children
- design
- end of life
- family
- palliation
- patient-/person-centered care