Parent Participation in care of Hospitalized Children: Concept Analysis.

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purpose of this paper was to explore the meaning of parent participation (PP), to clarify the concept of PP as a benefit to children and their families, and to increase understanding of PP in pediatric nursing practice.METHODS: Walker and Avant's approach to concept analysis was used. A search of multidisciplinary literature published between 1994 and 2012 was undertaken using the keyword, 'parent participation' combined with hospitalized children.Attributes, antecedents and consequences were inductively derived from the citations analyzed (n=30).RESULTS: PP was identified as having three attributes: Negotiation, Performing caring activity, Providing individualized care. Antecedents of PP were 'Parents & pediatric nurses' attitudes', 'Children's age', 'Children's conditions'. Consequences of PP were 'Effective partnership', 'Mutual empowerment'.CONCLUSION: Parent participation as defined by the results of this study should contribute a foundation for theory development in pediatric nursing practice.