Parental Presence in Implementation of Atraumatic Care during

Children’s Hospitalization
Alvionita Handayani1, Novy H. C. Daulima2
1
Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Indonesia, Depok, Indonesia
2
Mental Health Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Indonesia, Depok,
Indonesia

Email: novi_hc@ui.ac.id

Introduction:
Data on inpatient epidemiological studies show that the rate of hospitalization of
pediatric patients is still high in Indonesia. In 2015, there were 30.6% of 82.85 million
children in Indonesia, aged 0-17 years, experienced health problems; 8.38% of them
experienced hospitalization 2.
Hospitalization is a crisis condition for every child.Separation with parents often
causes significant emotional changes in children due to feelings of loss and natural disease
conditions4.
The children's limited coping skills in adapting to hospitalization conditions triggering
trauma and lead to aggression.
. It is necessary to have the parental presence as the nearest person to the children
during hospitalization to overcome and prevent the trauma condition1.

Objectives
This study aims to explore the hospitalized children’s experience with the parental
presence during hospitalization.

Method
Design:
qualitative research methods with descriptive phenomenology study approach.
Population and Study Setting:
This research was conducted in the Child Care Room on the 1st floor of Building A
RSUPN Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo, Jakarta.
The participant inclusion criteria in this study are 1) children with school-age (7 years
to 12 years), 2) Children with green status of NEWS (Nursing Early Warning Score), 3)
Children who can speak fluently, 4) Children who can speak Indonesian, 5) Children with
hospitalization ≥3 days

1
Data Collection:

 interview guidelines,
 field notes,
 recorders.
 drawing tools, coloring tools, story book and children's play tools

Results:
Table 1 Participants Demographic
Participa Gen Age Length of
nt der Hospitalization
P1 F 11 years 4 days
P2 F 10 years 4 days
P3 M 11 years 4 days
P4 F 11 years 8 days
P5 M 11years 4 days
P6 M 9 years 5 days
P7 F 9 years 5 days
P8 F 11 years 4 days
P9 F 10 years 4 days
P10 M 11 years 13 days
P11 F 11 years 22 days
Note: F: Female; M: Male

there were three themes found in the research results, namely

1) Allowing the presence of parents during children’s hospitalization;
2) The presence of parents is the main source of coping for children during hospitalization;
3) The role of parents in fulfilling the children physiological needs during hospitalization.

Theme 1: Allowing the presence of parents during children’s hospitalization

1.The hospital allowed children to be accompanied by their parents
“The nurse allowed if (I am) companied by mom, the nurse is kind” (P1)

2. There is no limitation of waiting time for parents

"Yes, it was allowed by nurse if mom and dad are here, it's okay if all day too ..." (P10)

Theme 2: The presence of parents is the main source of coping for children during
hospitalization
1. The children needs toward the parental presence during invasive procedure.
"Mom was there with me and turned on the video when nurse installed the infusion again,
then mom was behind me, hug me. Hm... So I'm happy ". (P2)
"Mama hold my eyes, so I will not be afraid". (P5)
2. The parental presence provides a safe and comfortable feeling for children.
"Wait for my illness, I hold my father at that time. Happy, so I am calm if my father is
there"." (P6)

2
 3. The parental presence as entertainers for children's boredom.
"Well… sad if father is not here, then who will I talk to?" (P7)

Theme 3: The role of parents in fulfilling the children physiological needs during
hospitalization
1. Parents help the process of their childcare.
"It's better there is mom, help taking care of me, if I have fever, she compresses". (P7)
“Dad is always beside me, so I don’t need to worry everything, sometimes dad also check
my temperature and my blood pressure..” (P5)

2. Parents help children's fullfilling the physiological needs.

"It's not good if there is no mom. I like to be accompanied by mom to accompany me, eat,
take medicine, sleep ...". (P2)
"Early in the morning she wakes me up to eat breakfast and feed me." (P9)

Conclusion:
 This study conclude that the parental presence during hospitalization is very important for
children.
 The atraumatic care is not only could be provided by the nurse, but also the parents could
be.
 The parental presence can minimize the experience of psychological distress and physical
distress in children.
 The non pharmacological pain management in invasive procedure is more effective for
children if it is conducted by parents than nurse.
 Every hospital needs to review related policies in facilitating the presence of parents for
children during hospitalization. This is to support effective coping for children, and fulfill
holistic physiological needs.