# Exploring parental perspectives of physiotherapy in children with congenital heart disease: a qualitative study

## TL;DR

This study explores how parents of children with congenital heart disease view physiotherapy and what factors influence their engagement with it.

## Contribution

The study provides novel insights into parental perspectives on physiotherapy for children with congenital heart disease, highlighting the need for improved education and individualized care.

## Key findings

- Parents' engagement with physiotherapy is influenced by their understanding of its benefits and their child's developmental needs.
- Parents desire individualized physiotherapy services and education throughout their child's life.
- Access to physiotherapy is affected by practical and emotional factors impacting families.

## Abstract

Children with congenital heart disease demonstrate developmental and functional impairment throughout their life. Published literature is limited but suggests postsurgical physiotherapy positively impacts developmental and functional outcomes in these children. We aimed to understand parental opinions of their child’s development or function, their experiences of physiotherapy services, how they feel physiotherapy could be used to support their child and what impacted access to services.

A qualitative study using semistructured online interviews was conducted among parents of children with a diagnosis of congenital heart disease under the age of 16 years, who had undergone cardiac surgery in the UK. Data were collected between July and December 2024. The data were explored using reflexive thematic analysis and the study was reported in accordance with the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research checklist.

12 semistructured interviews were completed involving 12 mothers and 1 father. Themes identified were parental priorities; understanding and experience of physiotherapy; access to physiotherapy and ideal physiotherapy service. Parental expectations of their child’s development were influenced by antenatal care and postnatal experiences. Parents continually evaluate the need for their child to access developmental and functional support. Engagement with physiotherapy is influenced by parental understanding, quality of service provision, impact of interventions on their child and the practical and emotional consequences to their family. Parents want physiotherapy services to deliver parental education and individualised support throughout their child’s life, particularly around key life events.

Parental engagement with physiotherapy services is influenced by parental expectations of their child’s development and function, and their understanding of the potential benefits of physiotherapy. Physiotherapists should prioritise promoting and increasing awareness of physiotherapists’ role in children with congenital heart disease, alongside parental education and individualised care, to facilitate engagement.