Safety risk identification and family empowerment needs in home oxygen therapy for preterm infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia: a qualitative study
- 1Department of NICU, Zhejiang University School of Medicine Children's Hospital National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- 2Department of Day Surgery, Zhejiang University School of Medicine Children's Hospital National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- 3Department of Nursing, Zhejiang University School of Medicine Children's Hospital National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of primary caregivers managing home oxygen therapy (HOT) for preterm infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and to identify latent safety hazards and support needs to optimise transitional care.
Methods : A phenomenological research approach was employed. Using purposive sampling, semi-structured interviews were conducted between August and November 2025 with 12 primary caregivers of BPD infants discharged from a tertiary hospital in Zhejiang province. The collected data were analysed and organised using Colaizzi’s 7-step analysis method, leading to the identification of key themes.
Results: Three main themes were identified: (1) sustained vigilance and restricted daily life under HOT, including restricted mobility, sleep deprivation and psychological anxiety; (2) guilt-driven overinvolvement and disrupted family collaboration, reflected in excessive caregiving, rejection of external support and family conflict; and (3) insufficient caregiving capacity and maladaptive responses in home oxygen care, including ineffective discharge education, limited ability in equipment maintenance and emergency response, decisional uncertainty and barriers to follow-up support.
Conclusion: Primary caregivers of infants with BPD experience substantial burden and safety challenges during HOT. Nursing support should move beyond one-time discharge education towards family empowerment-oriented capacity building. Tailored education, scenario-based training and continuous follow-up may improve caregiving competence and home oxygen safety.
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BibTeX
@article{liu2026safety,
title = {{Safety risk identification and family empowerment needs in home oxygen therapy for preterm infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia: a qualitative study}},
author = {Fengfeng Liu and Yun Ling and Xiaoyan Fan and Xiaoying Cheng and Zheng Chen and Jihua Zhu},
journal = {BMJ Paediatrics Open},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1136/bmjpo-2026-005022},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjpo-2026-005022},
note = {CC BY-NC 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Safety risk identification and family empowerment needs in home oxygen therapy for preterm infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia: a qualitative study
AU - Fengfeng Liu
AU - Yun Ling
AU - Xiaoyan Fan
AU - Xiaoying Cheng
AU - Zheng Chen
AU - Jihua Zhu
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/28
JO - BMJ Paediatrics Open
DO - 10.1136/bmjpo-2026-005022
UR - https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjpo-2026-005022
AB - Objective: This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of primary caregivers managing home oxygen therapy (HOT) for preterm infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and to identify latent safety hazards and support needs to optimise transitional care. Methods : A phenomenological research approach was employed. Using purposive sampling, semi-structured interviews were conducted between August and November 2025 with 12 primary caregivers of BPD infants discharged from a tertiary hospital in Zhejiang province. The collected data were analysed and organised using Colaizzi’s 7-step analysis method, leading to the identification of key themes. Results: Three main themes were identified: (1) sustained vigilance and restricted daily life under HOT, including restricted mobility, sleep deprivation and psychological anxiety; (2) guilt-driven overinvolvement and disrupted family collaboration, reflected in excessive caregiving, rejection of external support and family conflict; and (3) insufficient caregiving capacity and maladaptive responses in home oxygen care, including ineffective discharge education, limited ability in equipment maintenance and emergency response, decisional uncertainty and barriers to follow-up support. Conclusion: Primary caregivers of infants with BPD experience substantial burden and safety challenges during HOT. Nursing support should move beyond one-time discharge education towards family empowerment-oriented capacity building. Tailored education, scenario-based training and continuous follow-up may improve caregiving competence and home oxygen safety.
SN - 2399-9772
ER -