No abstract

Much has been written about the needs of children who are technology dependent and their care. This literature review aims to highlight some of this work--with a particular focus on children who are ventilator dependent--a group that has been extensively researched in the UK. The views of children and their parents were also sought to identify the emotional, financial and practical burdens of living with technology dependence. The most frequently found consequences for children and their families were: a striving for normalisation, social isolation, the emotional burden of caring, financial and practical difficulties, and the tension between parenting and caring.

No abstract

The study found an increasing number of ventilator dependent children and young people living at home. Almost three quarters of the sample had a physical disability as a result of or in addition to their primary diagnosis. There was wide variation in the amount of paid care supporting these families which appeared unrelated to the level of ventilatory dependence. Nurses working in community children's teams or hospital outreach teams were the most frequent care organisers and care managers. The majority of the care packages were funded by Health Authorities.

Much has been written about the needs of children who are technology dependent and their care. This literature review aims to highlight some of this work--with a particular focus on children who are ventilator dependent--a group that has been extensively researched in the UK. The views of children and their parents were also sought to identify the emotional, financial and practical burdens of living with technology dependence. The most frequently found consequences for children and their families were: a striving for normalisation, social isolation, the emotional burden of caring, financial and practical difficulties, and the tension between parenting and caring.