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 =