Support needs of parents of hospitalised children with a burn injury: an integrative review

Background: Good family functioning is important to improve outcomes for children who have sustained a burn injury. While knowledge regarding parental distress is increasing, less is known about parents’ need for support during their child’s hospitalisation.

Aim: To systematically synthesise existing research focussing on the support needs of parents of children hospitalised with a burn injury.

Methods: An integrative review was conducted using a literature search from multiple health-related databases. Original studies reporting on support for parents during their child’s hospitalisation at a burn facility were included. A Ricoeur-inspired method was the framework used for the analysis.

Results: Of the 468 identified papers, only seven studies met the inclusion criteria. In total, 521 parents and caregivers from six different countries were represented. Key findings related to the support needs of parents, including the need for information through all stages of treatment, support needs during emotional distress, feelings of guilt and blame relating to the injury and having someone to lean on or being alone.

Conclusion: Findings from this review describe parental feelings of distress, guilt and blame and parental needs of information and support. Further research is needed to facilitate the development of evidence-based support programmes for parents of burn injured children that address these parental needs.