Research poems: exploring the experience of parents of children who have died in the paediatric intensive care unit.

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of the article is to analyse the use of research poems to capture the essence of the lived experience of families who have lost their children in PICU.

Methods: Qualitative phenomenological study in the PICU of a high complexity hospital. Thirteen interviews were conducted (11 mothers and 9 fathers). Poetic analysis was used at an advanced stage of the analysis process with the intention of refining the theoretical proposal and as a means of generating evidence of a different nature tailored to different audiences.

Results: Six poems are presented. They reflect the main themes of analysis that capture the experience of families who have lost their children in PICU: 'Questions', 'No good prognosis', 'Those little things', 'You are saying goodbye', 'Life also springs forth' and 'Lullaby of the good death'. Throughout these are metaphorically condensed pills or phenomenological essences that enlighten us on the experience of: information and communication of bad news, participation in complex decision-making, participation in day-to-day and end-of-life care, facilitation of intimate family spaces and for the family, care of the family system (with special attention to siblings), and accompaniment for the farewell.

Conclusions: The research poems capture the essence of the lived experience as interpreted by the participants to be projected through a medium that amplifies their voice. The poems are a form of presentation of results that mobilises the audience to encourage transformation and change towards excellence in care from a humanising perspective.