Humanising paediatric care in the PICU: current strategies and emerging insights
ORCID
- Jos M. Latour: 0000-0002-8087-6461
Abstract
IntroductionThe paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) is a high-acuity, technology-driven environment where critically ill children receive life-saving treatment. However, this environment — characterized by noise, bright lights, and invasive procedures — can cause emotional trauma, anxiety, and post-intensive care syndrome-paediatrics among children and families [1]. Healthcare professionals working in intensive care units must safeguard dignity and promote psychological well-being of patients, families and colleagues [2]. Humanising PICU care aims to counterbalance the clinical focus with compassion, respect, and a child- and family-centred approach [1,3,4]. This paper explores six strategies and emerging innovations (Fig. 1) that aim to humanise PICU care, with a focus on implications for nursing practice and systemic change.
DOI Link
Publication Date
2026-01-01
Publication Title
Intensive and Critical Care Nursing
Volume
93
ISSN
0964-3397
Acceptance Date
2025-11-12
Deposit Date
2026-05-07
Embargo Period
2026-11-22
Additional Links
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Berdida, D., & Latour, J. (2026) 'Humanising paediatric care in the PICU: current strategies and emerging insights', Intensive and Critical Care Nursing, 93. Available at: 10.1016/j.iccn.2025.104287
This item is under embargo until 22 November 2026
