The Experiences of School-age Children with a Tracheostomy
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to explore the school-age child’s perspective about living with a tracheostomy.
Design and methods
A qualitative design using phenomenological methods was used to describe and interpret the lived experiences of school-age children with a tracheostomy.
Results
The perceptions of five children were explored, and three themes emerged: “I’m the only one,” “friends are helpful,” and “just tell them.”
Conclusions
Data indicated that encouraging friendships with other children enhances the well-being of the child with a tracheostomy. In addition, data suggested that when schoolmates understand the experiences of children with tracheostomies, they are supportive of the child. Nurse practitioners are in a unique position to assist the child with a tracheostomy in the development of peer networks.
Key words: Tracheostomy, phenomenology, qualitative, medically fragile, technology-dependent, medically complex
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Conflicts of interest: None to report.
PII: S0891-5245(10)00201-4
doi:10.1016/j.pedhc.2010.07.005
© 2010 National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
