Parents' Opinions towards Parental Presence During their Children's Invasive Procedures in the Paediatric Emergency Department: A Descriptive Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31674/mjn.2025.v17i01.018Abstract
Background: Invasive procedures tended to be more frightening, inducing distress and anxiety in children. Parental presence during such procedures has emerged as a crucial element in paediatric care, offering emotional support and comfort to children. Objective: This study aims to explore parental opinions regarding their presence during their children's invasive procedures in the Paediatric Emergency Department (PED). Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was employed, involving 377 parents from the King Abdullah Specialised Children’s Hospital (KASCH) in Riyadh. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, the first about the parents' demographic characteristics and the second about parental opinions and expectations regarding parental presence during a child's procedure. Results: The mean age of the participants was 37.49+ 7.96. Most invasive procedures (85%) were blood sampling and peripheral venous catheterisation, while endotracheal intubation and central or arterial catheterisation were less common. Most parents (91.8%) prefer to be present for their child during invasive procedures, with 67% identifying their primary reason as the desire to support and calm their child. Furthermore, significant levels of satisfaction were reported, with 99.7% of parents 94.2% of parents reported obtaining detailed explanations of the procedures, and 77.2% reported finding the explanation very helpful. Conclusion: Most parents prefer to be with their children; the majority of parent opinions emphasise the positive impact on the child's well-being. Further benefits include encouraging relaxation and calm for the child, highlighting the necessity of maintaining togetherness, and preventing child separation anxiety.
Keywords:
Invasive Procedures, Parental Presence, Paediatric Emergency DepartmentDownloads
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