Psychosocial needs of children undergoing an invasive procedure for a CHD and their parents

Abstract

AbstractObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate the psychosocial needs of both parents of children with CHD (aged 0–18 years) and patients themselves (aged 8–18 years) in the week before cardiac surgery or a catheter intervention.PatientsEligible participants included all consecutive patients (0–18 years) scheduled to undergo cardiac surgery or a catheter intervention in our hospital between March, 2012 and July, 2013. Psychosocial needs were assessed using a disease-specific questionnaire designed for this study, consisting of a 83-item parent version and a 59-item child version (for children ⩾8 years), each covering five domains: physical/medical, emotional, social, educational/occupational, and health behaviour; two items assessed fromwhomand in whatformatpsychosocial care was preferred. Quality of life was also assessed.InterventionsIf parents/patients reported a need for psychosocial care, referral to adequate mental health-care professionals was arranged.ResultsMore than 40% of participatingparentsand >50% of participatingchildrenreported a need for psychosocial care on each of the five domains. Needs for psychosocial care forparents themselveswere highest for those with children aged 0–12 years. Parents and patients report clear preferences when asked fromwhomand in whatformatthey would like to receive psychosocial care. Quality of life was relatively high for both parents and patients. Psychosocial care interventions in our hospital increased significantly after the implementation of this study.ConclusionsResults show that psychosocial care is rated as (very) important by both parents and children during an extremely stressful period of their life.