GROUP DISCUSSIONS WITH MOTHERS OF HOSPITALIZED CHILDREN

Abstract

Many articles have been written about the trauma of hospitalization to the child, but only little has been published about parents' reactions to the hospitalization of their children.1,2 The following observations concerning group discussions with parents of hospitalized children may suggest a three-fold approach to alleviate some of the trauma to the parents: directly through the anxiety-relieving effect of the discussions and indirectly through the experience gained from these group sessions when applied to the training of staff as well as to the setting up of administrative policies. The present study was undertaken with five objectives in mind: 1) Imparting of information, correction of misinformation, ventilation and clarfication of feelings, and the supportive effect of group interaction are aimed at relieving the anxiety of the parents and improving the interrelationships between parents, children, the hospital and its personnel.