Challenges hindering family involvement in the hospital nursing care of a child with autism

Abstract

Background: Family involvement is crucial in a child’s treatment; however, many professional nurses still neglect to involve families in their child’s care. Studies have indicated that the perceived lack of family involvement in hospitalised children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a problem in many countries. Few studies have been conducted in Africa with none relating to family involvement, highlighting the need for further research.

Aim: To develop in-depth insights into the challenges regarding family involvement in hospital nursing care of children with ASD, in the South African context.

Setting: Paediatric wards at selected private hospitals and family homes in the eThekwini District of KwaZulu-Natal.

Methods: An interpretative phenomenological analysis method was used. A sample of 10 professional nurses and 10 family members was achieved by purposive sampling. Data were collected from participants using semi-structured in-depth interviews.

Results: The following challenges were identified by the participants: the lack of knowledge of nurses regarding ASD, nurses not listening to family, uncaring attitude of nurses, nurses’ lack of time and shortage of nursing staff.

Conclusion: Nurses play a pivotal role in overcoming the challenges to family involvement, in the hospital nursing care, of a child with ASD. Making nurses aware of the challenges will help improve family involvement in hospitals nursing for the child with ASD.

Contribution: This study added to the body of knowledge by identifying the challenges to the involvement of families in the hospital nursing care of a child with ASD.