The experiences of children with a cardiac transplant, their families and health care providers in the COVID-19 pandemic

Background The COVID-19 pandemic has had deleterious impacts on pediatric patients and families, as well as the healthcare providers who have attended to their care needs. Methods In this qualitative study, children with a cardiac transplant, as well as their families and healthcare providers were interviewed to explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on pediatric care, as well as on patients' and their families' daily lives. Participants were recruited from a children's hospital in western Canada. Fifteen caregiving parents of transplanted children, 2 young patients, and 8 healthcare providers participated in interviews. Results Findings highlighted how families and their healthcare providers experienced pandemic-related shifts. Themes highlighted experiences, which entailed (1) initially hearing about the COVID-19 pandemic; (2) learning about their new reality; (3) adjusting to the pandemic; (4) adjusting to shifts in pediatric services; (5) evolving a view on the future, and (6) offering recommendations for cardiac care in a pandemic. Conclusions Study implications emphasize the need to critically reflect on, and advance, methods of helping young patients and their families in pandemic circumstances, and supporting healthcare providers.