Original articleLived experience of having a child with stroke: AÂ qualitative study

- First qualitative study to explore the lived experience of having a child with stroke.
- Themes: brutality of diagnosis, lack of information, feeling abandoned, physical recovery, cognitive issues, need for support.
- Underlines the need for adapted health policies that will foster better support for families who experience childhood stroke.

ObjectiveTo assess the lived experience of parents whose child has suffered a stroke.MethodsA qualitative study model was chosen, comprising in-depth interviews with parents separately or altogether. A semi-structured interview guide was used. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using constant comparison and content analysis. Participant checking was performed. Thirteen families of children aged 1 month to 17 years, having suffered ischaemic or haemorrhagic arterial stroke within one to five years, were recruited. Interviews were conducted within home setting.ResultsAfter fourteen interviews, data saturation was met and six main narrative themes were identified, underlining a common path of stroke lived experience: brutality of diagnosis, lack of information regarding disease condition, feeling of abandonment after discharge from hospital, focus on functional recovery, late awareness of cognitive disorders, and need for psychological support and family adaptation.ConclusionThis is the first qualitative study reporting lived experience of childhood stroke caregivers. In line with other qualitative studies exploring the feelings of parents coping with severe neurological conditions of childhood, our results advocate the need for evaluation of family centred health interventions.