Premedical Undergraduate Student Vanderbilt University Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Background: Over 400,000 children in the United States are involved in the foster care system (U.S. DHHS, 2021); many will require medical care or hospitalization during this time. Additionally, half of these children have a chronic condition, with up to 40,000 requiring medical foster care (Greiner et al., 2015; Seltzer et al., 2016). Reasons for hospitalization can vary, from immediate medical need to “social holds” as allegations of abuse and neglect are investigated, and placement is determined. It is known that hospitalization can be developmentally and psychosocially challenging for all children. Hospitalized children in the foster care system that have histories of ACEs, abuse, and neglect are more susceptible to pediatric medical traumatic stress (PMTS) (Bergeron, 2016; Price et al., 2016). Thus, working with children in state custody in the hospital setting is different than working with children who have had more stable and supportive life experiences (NCTSN, 2011). Children in state custody are more likely to behave in ways others perceive as difficult or maladaptive and may also be less trusting of adults and hesitant to develop close relationships with others. To date, there is little-to-no literature on the experiences of providers caring for hospitalized children in state custody, thus more work is needed to identify potential supports and interventions. Objective: The purpose of this study is to explore healthcare providers’ perceptions of and experiences with caring for hospitalized children in state custody. Design/Methods: Twenty-six healthcare providers at an academic children’s hospital in the Southeastern US completed an in-depth semi-structured interview about their experiences caring for hospitalized children in state custody. Exempt IRB approval was given by the research site (protocol 221700). All interviews have been audio-recorded and transcribed, and are undergoing thematic analysis using an inductive, line-by-line approach. Codes are now being assembled and combined into categories and themes; this process will be complete by December.
