Difficulties faced by caregivers during pre-procedural fasting in children at selected tertiary care hospital of Bhopal: A Phenomenological study

Introduction

The anticipation of surgery brings forth a myriad of challenges for both caregivers and their Pediatric patients, particularly during the period of pre-procedural fasting. Preoperative fasting, crucial for minimizing aspiration risk during surgery, presents considerable challenges for caregivers who must manage their child's fasting needs across emotional, logistical, and practical domains. Simultaneously, children face the physical and psychological effects of fasting, unable to express their discomfort adequately. While pre-procedural fasting is vital for surgical readiness, its impact on caregivers and children is often neglected in research and clinical settings. This study aims to fill this gap by exploring the challenges faced by caregivers during this period, offering valuable insights into this overlooked aspect of Pediatric care.

Methods

This research employed the transcendental phenomenological approach, applying Lincoln and Guba's framework (1985), which focused on trustworthiness, credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability. As per Moustakas (1994), bracketing was done to maintain a distance between the researcher and biases, allowing a focus on the caregivers' lived experiences. A total of 18 caregivers were sampled for semi-structured, in-depth, face-to-face interviews. Following Braun and Clark's approach, thematic analysis was applied to identify recurring themes in caregivers' experiences during preoperative fasting with their children.

Result

The study identified numerous challenges caregivers face during their children's fasting period. Communication barriers were prominent, leading to caregivers following medical instructions without fully grasping their rationale. Nurturing resilience in children was crucial, often achieved through screen engagement and various distraction strategies. Family support played a vital role in managing fasting challenges.

Conclusion

This research explores caregivers' experiences during children's pre-procedural fasting, providing insights to improve Pediatric care. It highlights the need for personalized support and education, laying the groundwork for future studies to enhance caregiver and child welfare during fasting periods.