Level of Uncertainty in Illness and Its Influencing Factors Among Family Members of Critically Ill Children Supported by Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation
WANG Huanhuan
SUN Yuyan
LUO Leng
LI Dandan
JIAO Huifang
YANG Xiaohui
SHI Caixiao
Abstract：Objective To describe the current status of uncertainty in illness among family members of critically ill children supported by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation(ECMO)and analyze its influencing factors.Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted on family members of children receiving ECMO support using the general information questionnaire,the Mishel uncertainty in illness scale-family member version,and the social support rating scale.The study included 60 family members of critically ill children from the intensive care unit of a Grade A tertiary children's hospital in Henan Province,who met the criteria from January 2021 to March 2023.The level of illness uncertainty and its influencing factors were analyzed.Results The total score of illness uncertainty among family members of children on ECMO was(87.51±9.24)points,with the highest score found in the ambiguity dimension(42.45±5.12)points.The total social support score was(33.26±6.98)points,with the subjective support dimension scoring the highest(20.76±3.79)points.Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the educational level of family members,social support,monthly family income per capita,and the child's ECMO duration were the main factors influencing the uncertainty in illness among family members of critically ill children supported by ECMO(P＜0.05).Conclusion The level of illness uncertainty among family members of critically ill children supported by ECMO is relatively high.Medical staff should provide personalized care plans based on the specific conditions of the children and their families,aiming to reduce the family members' uncertainty in illness and alleviate their negative emotions,which is of great significance for the prognosis and recovery of critically ill children supported by ECMO.
Keywords：extracorporeal membrane oxygenationfamily members of pediatric patientsuncertainty in illnesssocial support
Publication Date：2025-12-13
Online Publishing Date：2026-09-12(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：5( 4264-4268 )