Tetralogy of Fallot: A Qualitative Study towards Identifying the Basic Needs of a Child with this Condition

Abstract

The consequences of surgical correction of Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), remains an important aspect as children with TOF repair run the high risk of increase mortality resulting from cardiopulmonary nursing problems involving cardiorespiratory insufficiency and low cardiac output resulting from surgical management manipulation of the heart. A study that investigates the basic need of children living with surgically corrected Fallot’s tetralogy integrates in a caring science discipline. The researcher sorted to investigate on identifying which basic needs of children living with TOF in one of the surgical heart centres of Africa could be used when modeling a caring approach for them. This was a phenomenological qualitative study which explored the nurses formal knowledge of the clinical needs faced by children with tetralogy of Fallot. The population under study were the nurses and were selected based on a non- probability convenient sampling technique. Data was collected using a semi-directed guided interview guide on a one-one interview strategy. Content of the information gathered from the participants was analyzed using Colaizzi’s descriptive phenomenology method. The study revealed that especially during post-surgical repair, the child presents with the following basic needs like: biophysical, safety and security, psychophysical, psychosocial and spiritual needs.