Abstract
This study utilized the Delphi methodology to collect the opinion of experts in the clinical treatment and study of physically traumatized children and their families on the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). Nurses, social workers, psychologists, a physician, and a family therapist were asked to identify sources of stress, response patterns, and coping mechanisms exhibited by family members following a physically traumatizing event and during the child's subsequent treatment on a PICU. Conclusions indicate that a secondary traumatic stress response may be experienced by these individuals, as well as a systemic traumatic stress reaction experienced within the family system. Recommendations for future research and clinical implications of the research findings are also discussed. This study was one of the first to utilize the Internet as it's primary means of expert recruitment and data collection. A full description of the methodology is included.