The Problems Experienced by Parents Providing Postoperative Home Care Following Their Child's Surgery for Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Families, especially mothers, experience problems providing home care after their child's surgery for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH).

PURPOSE: To assess the problems experienced by parents providing postoperative home care to their child after DDH surgery.

METHODS: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. The sample consisted of 33 parents. Data were collected through a survey conducted at the hospital following the child's surgery and by telephone 4-6 weeks after surgery. Frequencies, means, percentages, and chi-square tests were used to analyze the data.

RESULTS: The parents (93.9% women) provided postoperative care for approximately 3 months. Nearly all of the parents (97%) had physical (96.9%), psychological (65.6%), and social (75.0%) problems in addition to child care problems.

CONCLUSIONS: We recommend preparing a comprehensive discharge-training package for parents after their child's DDH surgery, supplementing home care instructions with visual training materials, and providing telephone counseling to parents after discharge.