A novel behavioral health program for family caregivers of children admitted to a transitional chronic ventilator unit

Background: The care of mechanically ventilated pediatric patients is complex and burdensome. It is essential to adequately support the family caregivers of these children to optimize outcomes; however, there is no literature describing interventions for caregivers in this population. Research Question: This study described a novel behavioral health program and examined its impact on family caregiver engagement and psychological distress on a pediatric inpatient chronic ventilator unit. Study Design and Methods: Electronic chart review was completed with retrospective and prospective participant enrollment for the purposes of longitudinal evaluation of caregiver engagement. For analytic purposes, participants were grouped into three categories: (1) preprogram, (2) postprogram, and (3) postprogram with completion of psychotherapy. Results: The behavioral health program was associated with increased caregiver participation in rounds, t = 7.76, p = <.001. Parents who completed a course of psychotherapy within the behavioral health program demonstrated reduced time to training completion (F = 5.89; p <.01), higher staff-rated caregiver engagement (F = 3.69; p <.05), and significantly reduced levels of caregiver distress (t = 2.09; p <.05).