The Experience of Nurses with the Care Needs of the Children with Head Trauma Hospitalized in the Intensive Care Unit: A Qualitative Study

Background: Children with head trauma need care in different dimensions. The identification of these needs is a key factor in providing high-quality nursing care. In this regard, nurse, as one of the main members of the healthcare team who is in a frequent and close contact with these children, has a good opportunity to identify and meet their care needs. This study aimed to explain the experiences of nurses with the care needs of the children under 18 years with head trauma hospitalized in the intensive care units. Methods: The present study was conducted using qualitative content analysis method and through in-depth semi- structured individual interviews with 14 nurses working in the ICUs from August 2019 to January 2020. Purposive sampling method was used and the data were collected using an audio recorder until data saturation was reached. These data were analyzed through the use of conventional qualitative content analysis. Results: Finally, two main categories of "supportive care needs" and "care needs for the prevention of secondary complications" were extracted. The former main categories included two sub-categories of "physical support" and "psychological support" and the latter included two sub-categories of "cares for the prevention of intracranial secondary complications" and "cares for the prevention of extracranial secondary complications". Conclusion: Based on the results, children with head trauma have different care needs in different dimensions. Therefore, the healthcare team should have a need-based care plan to meet these needs and improve the health and well-being of this group of patients.