Communicating the Diagnosis of Life – Limiting Illness of a Child – Mother`s Perspective

Abstract

The aim of this study was to identify how mothers of children with life-threatening illnesses receive and process news of their child's diagnosis. Interviews were conducted to identify categories and themes that characterize how mothers reacted to receiving difficult medical information about their children. The present study was conducted between June 2021 and August 2021. Mothers of 15 children who were patients in the care of Hospice Casa Sperantei, Brasov, RO were identified. Five of the children were diagnosed with oncological diseases, nine with neurological diseases, and one with a genetic disease. Qualitative analysis identified three domains: Diagnosis, Communication Style, and Needs of Mothers. The saturation of the data was reached and further identified several themes related to these categories. Results supported that mothers of children with life-threatening illnesses want to know the truth, and prefer professionals to be patient, gentle, respectful, and to be supportive throughout the course of the illness.