A Need to Protect: Parents’ Experiences of the Practice of Restricting a Child for a Clinical Procedure in Hospital

Abstract

There is concern about the potential negative consequences of the common practice of restricting a child for a clinical procedure. The primary objective of this study was to describe parents’ experiences of their child being restricted for a clinical procedure. Individual interviews were conducted with seven parents. Data was analysed using the Thematic Network Analysis framework. The findings show that many parents were very uncomfortable with the care of their child when they were restricted for a clinical procedure; this was attributed to perceived ambivalence, or an impersonal attitude, from some healthcare professionals towards their child. The findings indicate the need for multi-disciplinary examination of the practice of restriction. Parents identified a need for greater information at the time of procedures, including information on the expected number of attempts at a procedure, and specific guidance on correct positioning techniques to enhance the expedient and safe care of their child.

• Restriction
• parents
• clinical procedure
• child in hospital