• Samina Ali, Asa Rahimi, Manasi Rajagopal, Keon Ma, Maryna Yaskina, Paul Clerc, Antonia Stang, Darcy Beer, Naveen Poonai, April Kam, Tania Principi, Katie Gardner, Bruce Wright, Amy Plint, Serge Gouin, Kurt Schreiner, Shannon D Scott, and Pediatric Emergency Research Canada Family Needs study team.
• From the Department of Pediatrics, Stollery Children's Hospital, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
• Pediatr Emerg Care. 2025 Jan 9.

ObjectivesDespite being a frequent entry point of care, it remains unknown if families' needs are being met across pediatric emergency departments (PEDs). Study objectives were to describe caregivers' perceived overall PED experience and needs and to what extent these needs were met.MethodsThis descriptive, cross-sectional survey with medical record review was conducted in 10 Canadian PEDs. Caregivers completed electronic surveys in the PED and within 7 days postvisit. The primary outcome was the degree to which caregivers' overall needs were met in the PED.ResultsA total of 2005 caregivers participated; mean age was 37.8 (standard deviation 7.7) years and 74.3% (1462/1969) were mothers. Mean child age was 5.9 (standard deviation 5.1) years; 51.9% (1040/2003) were male. The median [interquartile range (IQR)] length of stay was 3.9 (2.6-6.1) hours. A total of 22.1% (322/1454) of caregivers reported that their overall needs were not adequately met (Likert scale 1-3/5). The top unmet needs during a PED visit were prompt medical care [20.3% (194/955)], access to practical items [16.8% (160/955)], and effective communication surrounding care [8.7% (83/955)]. Caregiver needs being met were associated with their child's needs being met [odds ratio (OR) 21.2 (13.1-34.2)], child's pain being well managed [OR 3.7 (2.4-5.6)], and satisfaction with overall length of stay [OR 2.6 (1.8-3.8)].ConclusionsAlmost one fourth of caregivers report their overall needs were not fully met. Improving the quality of PED experience through better communication (ie, wait time delays, medical updates) and earlier pain care initiation may improve family experiences while policymakers work nationally to address lengthy wait times.Copyright © 2025 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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