A National Survey of Caregiver Needs and Experiences When Attending the Emergency Department

Samina Ali; Asa Rahimi; Manasi Rajagopal; Keon Ma; Maryna Yaskina; Paul Clerc; Antonia Stang; Darcy Beer; Naveen Poonai; April Kam; Tania Principi; Katie Gardner; Bruce Wright; Amy Plint; Serge Gouin; Kurt Schreiner; Shannon D Scott; Pediatric Emergency Research Canada Family Needs study team

doi:10.1097/PEC.0000000000003327

A National Survey of Caregiver Needs and Experiences When Attending the Emergency Department

Pediatr Emerg Care. 2025 Jan 9. doi: 10.1097/PEC.0000000000003327. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Samina Ali, Asa Rahimi¹, Manasi Rajagopal¹, Keon Ma², Maryna Yaskina³, Paul Clerc⁴, Antonia Stang², Darcy Beer⁵, Naveen Poonai⁶, April Kam⁷, Tania Principi², Katie Gardner⁸, Bruce Wright, Amy Plint⁹, Serge Gouin¹⁰, Kurt Schreiner¹¹, Shannon D Scott¹²; Pediatric Emergency Research Canada Family Needs study team

Affiliations

¹ From the Department of Pediatrics, Stollery Children's Hospital, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
² Department of Pediatrics, Alberta Children's Hospital, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
³ Women and Children's Health Research Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
⁴ The Pediatric Research in Emergency Therapeutics (PRETx) Program, Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, and BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
⁵ Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Health Sciences Centre, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MN, Canada.
⁶ Departments of Pediatrics and Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Western University, London, ON, Canada.
⁷ Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, McMaster Children's Hospital, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
⁸ Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, IWK Health Centre, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada.
⁹ Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
¹⁰ Department of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, CHU Sainte-Justine, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada.
¹¹ Pediatric Parent Advisory Group, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
¹² Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.

PMID: 39787092
DOI: 10.1097/PEC.0000000000003327

Abstract

Objectives: Despite being a frequent entry point of care, it remains unknown if families' needs are being met across pediatric emergency departments (PEDs). Study objectives were to describe caregivers' perceived overall PED experience and needs and to what extent these needs were met.

Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional survey with medical record review was conducted in 10 Canadian PEDs. Caregivers completed electronic surveys in the PED and within 7 days postvisit. The primary outcome was the degree to which caregivers' overall needs were met in the PED.

Results: A total of 2005 caregivers participated; mean age was 37.8 (standard deviation 7.7) years and 74.3% (1462/1969) were mothers. Mean child age was 5.9 (standard deviation 5.1) years; 51.9% (1040/2003) were male. The median [interquartile range (IQR)] length of stay was 3.9 (2.6-6.1) hours. A total of 22.1% (322/1454) of caregivers reported that their overall needs were not adequately met (Likert scale 1-3/5). The top unmet needs during a PED visit were prompt medical care [20.3% (194/955)], access to practical items [16.8% (160/955)], and effective communication surrounding care [8.7% (83/955)]. Caregiver needs being met were associated with their child's needs being met [odds ratio (OR) 21.2 (13.1-34.2)], child's pain being well managed [OR 3.7 (2.4-5.6)], and satisfaction with overall length of stay [OR 2.6 (1.8-3.8)].

Conclusions: Almost one fourth of caregivers report their overall needs were not fully met. Improving the quality of PED experience through better communication (ie, wait time delays, medical updates) and earlier pain care initiation may improve family experiences while policymakers work nationally to address lengthy wait times.