In a recent article by Bally et al,1 parental hope is explored in regard to caregiving for a child undergoing cancer treatment. The study indicates that parental hope is complex yet essential for parents when caring for an ill child. The article states that hope is essential because it "helped parents engage in positive purposeful thinking, reasoning, planning for the future, establishing control, and in seeking growth during their experiences of caring for their child."1 A major theme in the article is the idea of losing hope and how parents are able to keep hope alive even when their child is critically ill. There are factors that influence parental hope, including assessing their child's health, gaining knowledge, connecting with others, being in the loop, and reaffirming faith. I wish that the idea of parental decision making was a more explored concept in this article.
I have a personal interest in parental decision making because I want to work with pediatric patients in the healthcare setting. In a recent study, Aarthun and Akerjordet2 stated that healthcare professionals need to understand the role parents play in decision making in order to provide the best possible care to pediatric patients. Another study by McKenna et al3 highlights the importance of parents and healthcare professionals having a respectful and efficient relationship throughout the pediatric patient's healthcare in order to provide the best possible care to the patient. I think that a connection between parental involvement in decision making and keeping hope alive should be further studied to gain a better understanding of their connection.
I think that the article by Bally et al1 shows how hope can be a powerful aspect in a pediatric patient's healthcare and that parents and healthcare professionals must work together to create a working relationship that will benefit the patient. As other authors explain, this working relationship can be obtained by including parents in the decision-making process.2 "Keeping hope possible" helped me to better understand the role parents play in pediatric patient's healthcare as well as gain a better understanding of parental hope, and this will help me in my future career.
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Emily McCaffety, BS
Utica College
New York
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