Jessica Appleyard, a PhD candidate affiliated with the Judith Lumley Centre in the School of Nursing and Midwifery, has been researching the impact of paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admissions on these siblings.
“Siblings are an integral part of the family unit, especially during a child’s critical illness,” she says.
"Our review identified that siblings experience a range of physical social, and emotional effects when a child is critically ill. These experiences can be shaped, either positively or negatively, by parents, healthcare professionals, hospital policies and the care environment," she says.
While family-centred care – a philosophy that prioritises partnership and collaboration with the child and their family – is widely regarded as the gold standard in paediatric healthcare, Jessica says that most PICU research focuses solely on parents.
“Unfortunately, siblings are often overlooked and this means there are limited services and resources available to support them.”
The review highlights the importance of including siblings in the PICU experience, maintaining family connections, and providing support to help siblings navigate the intensive care environment.
"This is a critical issue because we currently have limited evidence to inform the development of resources and support systems for siblings, families, and hospital staff," Jessica explains.
The paper forms part of a larger study led by La Trobe’s Dr Ashleigh Butler, which explores sibling inclusion in cases of critical illness.
“By deepening our understanding of siblings' needs and experiences, critical care teams can develop more inclusive family-centred care policies and guidelines and be better equipped to provide inclusive and supportive care.”
