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Journal of Child Health Care
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The experience of being ill as narrated by hospitalized children aged 7-10 years with short-term illness

Maria Forsner, MSc, RN

Department of Clinical Sciences and Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Umea, Sweden, maria.forsner{at}vll.se

Lilian Jansson, PhD, RNT

Department of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, University of Umea, Sweden

Venke Sørlie, PhD, RNT

Institute of Nursing and Health Science, University of Oslo, Norway

Children’s illness has been investigated through the eyes of parents and nurses but the child’s own perspective has been largely ignored. The aim of this study is to illuminate the 7-10-year-olds’ experiences of being ill. Three girls and four boys were interviewed and narrated their experience about short-term illness. The data obtained was subjected to a thematic qualitative content analysis. The analysis suggests that the children combined reality and imagination and contrasts seemed to coexist such as being scared/confident, sad/cosy and hurt/having fun. They felt caught and tried to escape. The experience of illness as narrated by children can lead to a richer understanding and influence the way we care for paediatric patients.

Key Words: children • experiences • illness • narration • qualitative method

Journal of Child Health Care, Vol. 9, No. 2, 153-165 (2005)
DOI: 10.1177/1367493505051406
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