TY - JOUR
T1 - Safeguarding precarious survival
T2 - Parenting children who have life-threatening heart disease
AU - Rempel, Gwen R.
AU - Harrison, Margaret J.
PY - 2007/7
Y1 - 2007/7
N2 - The purpose of this study is to describe the process of parenting a child with life-threatening heart disease. Despite advances in pediatric cardiac sciences, hypoplastic left heart syndrome remains difficult and controversial to treat. The Norwood surgical approach is a developing technology, and little is known about how mothers and fathers experience parenting a child who survives this treatment. Constructivist grounded theory informed this Canadian study that involved multiple interactive interviews with 9 mothers and 7 fathers of children with hypoplastic left heart syndrome who were at various stages of treatment. Extraordinary parenting in a context of uncertainty was evident as parents simultaneously safeguarded their child's precarious survival as well as their own survival. As technologically advanced treatment contributes to the survival of children with complex health conditions, health care professionals must consider how to promote and support parenting strategies that benefit the new survivors of technology as well as their families.
AB - The purpose of this study is to describe the process of parenting a child with life-threatening heart disease. Despite advances in pediatric cardiac sciences, hypoplastic left heart syndrome remains difficult and controversial to treat. The Norwood surgical approach is a developing technology, and little is known about how mothers and fathers experience parenting a child who survives this treatment. Constructivist grounded theory informed this Canadian study that involved multiple interactive interviews with 9 mothers and 7 fathers of children with hypoplastic left heart syndrome who were at various stages of treatment. Extraordinary parenting in a context of uncertainty was evident as parents simultaneously safeguarded their child's precarious survival as well as their own survival. As technologically advanced treatment contributes to the survival of children with complex health conditions, health care professionals must consider how to promote and support parenting strategies that benefit the new survivors of technology as well as their families.
KW - Congenital heart disease
KW - Grounded theory
KW - Hypoplastic left heart syndrome
KW - Parenting
KW - Technology
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=34250781124&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/1049732307303164
DO - 10.1177/1049732307303164
M3 - Journal Article
C2 - 17582024
AN - SCOPUS:34250781124
SN - 1049-7323
VL - 17
SP - 824
EP - 837
JO - Qualitative Health Research
JF - Qualitative Health Research
IS - 6
ER -