Keeping Up With School During Hospitalization for Children With Chronic Illnesses, Siblings and Parents

Abstract

Background: Children who have chronic illnesses (CIs) and their siblings often miss school when the child with a CI is hospitalized. Understanding the perspectives of the child with an illness, siblings and parents will provide information about how they keep up with schoolwork, their perceptions of not being in school, or of homeschooling that will inform educators, families and medical professionals. Methods: English-speaking children diagnosed with CI, siblings and parents participated. They were residing at a Ronald McDonald House. A qualitative study using interviews with children with CIs, siblings and parents was completed. Results: All three informant groups reported positive experiences with completing schoolwork, and teacher flexibility and availability were key to child success. Ensuring that schoolwork covered the basic academic subjects and materials was important, as children were tired and could lack time to complete work. Missing friends and school, and after-school activities were negative effects of missing school. Several parents homeschooled their children and felt positively about this experience, as they were then able to care for their child's medical needs, match educational lessons to their child's abilities and ensure they had time to make the child's medical appointments. Conclusions: Children with illnesses, siblings and parents reported that their school experiences during the hospitalization of the child with an illness were usually positive. Importantly, children were able to keep up with their work. Children did miss interacting with teachers, peers and engaging in school and after-school activities. In the future, more information about the quality and impact of homeschooling will provide information to advance knowledge on ways to support the academic needs of children who are educated at home.