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Table 1 Examples of themes and subthemes

From: Parents’ and nurses’ ideal collaboration in treatment-centered and home-like care of hospitalized preschool children – a qualitative study

Meaning units from interview text and field notes/codes

Name of meaning units/codes

Themes

Subthemes

The nurse first greets the child and then the father, and involves herself in play with the child. When the nurse has played a short while with the child, she tells the father that they have to go to the reception room to do reception procedures (observation).

Very good, she makes Jo trust her before she introduced the procedure situation (interview, father).

When I meet a child without knowing how the child reacts and how the child is, I will build a relationship, and play and talk to the child before I start with [the] procedure (interview, nurse).

Getting to know each other before introducing the procedure

Getting the child to trust the nurse before the procedure starts

Building a relationship with the child

Treatment-centered care

Building relationships – gaining trust

Kim wakes up and is about to have the breakfast. The mother tells the nurse that Kim has a poor appetite and eats sparsely. The nurse asks the child directly what the child wants to eat. Afterwards, the nurse brings the child the food the child wants. The mother and the nurse help the child to sit upright in bed. When the nurse returns to the room, the food is almost untouched. The nurse asks what to order for dinner. The nurse has given the child fever-reducing medication before Kim’s favorite dish is served. Kim takes only a few bites (observation).

Kim got something else to eat than what was on the menu. The nurse said she would do her best to get something that the child likes. However, Kim would not eat. The child has no appetite. My responsibility is to be there as a mum; take care of my child, do things Kim wants, give Kim something to drink and such (interview, mother).

The mother’s task is to be there for the child and offer the child any drinks the child wants. My task is to monitor the child’s physical condition (interview, nurse).

The nurse provided desired food because of poor appetite

Personalizing and facilitating the meal for the child in collaboration with the mother

Providing desired food related to poor appetite

Ensuring that the child receives food and drink

Taking care of the child’s physical condition

Home-like care

Making the meal familiar