Carter, Bernie, Fisher-Smith, Debra, Porter, David, Lane, Stephen, Peak, Matthew 
ORCID: 0000-0003-1909-3211, Taylor-Robinson, DC ORCID: 0000-0002-5828-7724, Bracken, Louise and Carrol, Enitan ORCID: 0000-0001-8357-7726
(2019)
Being ‘at-home’ on outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT): a qualitative study of parents’ experiences of paediatric OPAT
Archives of Disease in Childhood. Education and Practice Edition, 105 (3).
pp. 276-281.
ISSN 1743-0585, 1468-2044
Abstract
Objective To better understand the factors that facilitate and hinder a positive experience of paediatric outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT). Design Qualitative study using semistructured interviews. Setting A dedicated paediatric consultant-led hospital-based, outreach OPAT service in England. Participants Participants were primarily parents of children who had received OPAT; one child participated. Methods Children and parents of children who received OPAT and who had participated in the survey phase of the larger study were invited to be interviewed. Results 12 parents (10 mothers and 2 fathers) of 10 children participated; one child (aged 15 years). Data analysis resulted in one meta-theme, 'At-homeness' with OPAT, this reflected the overall sense of home being a place in which the children and their parents could be where they wanted to be. Four key themes were identified that reflect the ways in which parents and children experienced being at-home on OPAT: ' Comfort, security, freedom, and control'; 'Faith, trust and confidence'; ' Explanations and communication' and ' Concerns, restrictions and inconveniences'. Conclusions Despite feeling anxious at times, parents reported that they and their children generally had a positive experience of OPAT; being at-home brought many benefits compared with in-patient care. Recommendations arising from the study include a ' whole-system' approach to discharge home that includes support related to return to school/nursery, reduction in disruptions to home-based routines, more clarity on choice and preparation for managing potential anxiety, better consideration of dose timing and enhanced preparation and information.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Humans, Bacterial Infections, Anti-Bacterial Agents, Infusions, Parenteral, Drug Administration Schedule, Attitude to Health, Personal Satisfaction, Parents, Adolescent, Adult, Child, Child, Preschool, Infant, Infant, Newborn, Home Care Services, Female, Male |
| Depositing User: | Symplectic Admin |
| Date Deposited: | 30 Sep 2019 07:46 |
| Last Modified: | 01 Mar 2026 08:49 |
| DOI: | 10.1136/archdischild-2019-317629 |
| Open Access URL: | https://adc.bmj.com/content/archdischild/early/201... |
| Related Websites: | |
| URI: | https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3056218 |
| Disclaimer: | The University of Liverpool is not responsible for content contained on other websites from links within repository metadata. Please contact us if you notice anything that appears incorrect or inappropriate. |
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