The Hospitalisation Experience and Distress Among Jewish and Bedouin Parents of Hospitalised Children in Israel

Aim: This study tested the relationship between the hospitalisation experience and distress among Jewish and Bedouin parents of hospitalised children in the south of Israel. Methods: An anonymous self-reported questionnaire containing the Distress Thermometer for Parents and the Parental Perceptions of Hospital Care in Children was completed by 210 parents of hospitalised children. Results: About 68.3% of all the parents experienced parental distress, but the Bedouin parents were significantly more distressed than the Jewish parents. No difference was found between Jewish and Bedouin parents in their experience during their child's hospitalisation. Most parents (96.6%) had a positive experience. A negative correlation was found between the parents' experience and the parents' distress. Conclusion: This finding can help improve the medical center's approach to hospitalised children by focusing on their parents' experience and encouraging the medical staff and family to support the parents. This may lower parents' distress and enable a better quality of care for the children and their families.