Department of Surgery, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York.
Department of Surgery, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York.
J Surg Res. 2024 Oct;302:92-99. doi: 10.1016/j.jss.2024.06.032. Epub 2024 Aug 1.
Gastrostomy tube (G-tube) insertion in children has frequent complications, including dislodgment and return to the system, which are associated with emotional burden for caregivers. To address these issues, we developed a peer support program for caregivers of children with new G-tubes and aimed to explore program feasibility and acceptability.
The G-tube Buddy Program is a peer support program that pairs an experienced G-tube caregiver with new G-tube caregivers. Between April 2022 and December 2022, seven mentors and 21 mentees participated in the program. Five mentors and ten mentees participated in semi-structured focus groups and interviews. Transcripts were analyzed using both inductive and deductive qualitative methods.
We identified five prominent domains: peer support relationship dynamics; mentor and mentee-specific factors; determinants of program success; mentor and mentee perception of the program; and suggestions for program improvement. These domains encompassed main themes: support consisted primarily of assistance with daily life and social and emotional support; texting was usually the preferred communication method; mentee satisfaction is rooted in humanness, teaching, and generation of hope; mentors participated due to positive feelings regarding helping new caregivers with financial motivation being less important; and, participants perceived the program as a valuable source of support for new caregivers that complements and expands the reach of care they receive from clinical providers.
A peer support model for families with new G-tubes appears feasible and acceptable from participant perspectives. Responses validate the program's potential to add value to the postoperative care of children with G-tubes and will guide program optimization.
儿童胃管（G-管）插入术常发生并发症，包括移位和返回系统，这给照料者带来了情绪负担。为了解决这些问题，我们为新置 G-管的儿童照料者开发了一个同伴支持计划，并旨在探索该计划的可行性和可接受性。
G-管伙伴计划是一个同伴支持计划，将有经验的 G-管照料者与新的 G-管照料者配对。在 2022 年 4 月至 2022 年 12 月期间，7 名导师和 21 名学员参加了该计划。5 名导师和 10 名学员参加了半结构式焦点小组和访谈。使用归纳和演绎定性方法分析转录本。
我们确定了五个突出的领域：同伴支持关系动态；导师和学员的具体因素；计划成功的决定因素；导师和学员对计划的看法；以及改进计划的建议。这些领域包含了主要主题：支持主要包括日常生活援助以及社会和情感支持；短信通常是首选的沟通方式；学员的满意度源于人性化、教学和希望的产生；导师参与是因为对帮助新照料者的积极感受，经济动机的重要性较低；参与者认为该计划是新照料者的宝贵支持来源，补充并扩大了他们从临床提供者那里获得的护理范围。
从参与者的角度来看，新 G-管家庭的同伴支持模式似乎是可行且可接受的。这些反应验证了该计划为 G-管儿童术后护理增加价值的潜力，并将指导计划优化。
