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Kristianto Dwi Nugroho
Sri Hartini Mardi Asih
Siti Lestari
Background: Terminal illnesses can happen to anyone, and children are no exception. This kind of illness is very close to an emergency. The role of the family is significant, primarily if the disease occurs in a child. This terminal disease is fatal, so an emergency approach can be taken. An emergency is related to a disease or other condition that can threaten life. Study Design: Qualitative research was conducted using a phenomenological approach to discover parents' perceptions when caring for children suffering f rom terminal illnesses. Terminal illness suffered by children with emergency conditions is the focus of the research. The research was conducted on 10 participants from patients suffering from terminal illnesses in the Pediatric Ward of Dr. Kariadi Hospital. Results: In-depth interviews with participants found three main themes: 1) parents' response when their child was diagnosed with cancer; 2) the spiritual response of parents caring for children with cancer; and 3) the hope of parents for healing. Parents' expectations are a parent's "fuel" for children with terminal illnesses. Parents' expectations have a negative correlation with all parental psychological pressures. The higher the parents' expectations, the more psychological pressure they will feel. Conclusion: The role of parents is very important in the lives of children, especially in children who suffer from terminal illnesses and experience emergencies. The closeness and support of parents help children get through difficult circumstances.
Keywords: Terminal Illness; Parents; Children Experiencing Emergencies