Translation, cultural adaptation, and psychometric testing of the Supportive care needs survey for partners and caregivers for Swedish family members of persons diagnosed with colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosis globally and is increasing in both incidence and prevalence. Despite evidence showing that family members of persons diagnosed with cancer have supportive care needs, no validated questionnaire measuring the needs of family members of persons diagnosed with CRC exists in Swedish. Thus, the objective of the present study was to translate, culturally adapt, and evaluate the psychometric properties the Supportive Care Needs Survey - Partners and Caregivers 45. METHODS: The translation and cultural adaptation followed a systematic yet iterative process. Firstly, the questionnaire was translated using a forward-backward approach. Secondly, face and content validity and comprehensibility were evaluated by two expert panels of colorectal cancer specialist nurses and family members, respectively. Lastly, the psychometric properties, validity, and reliability of the translated questionnaire were evaluated among 45 Swedish family members of persons diagnosed with colorectal cancer. RESULTS: The face, content, and construct validity of the translated questionnaire were evaluated as satisfying. Moreover, psychometric evaluations showed high data quality and satisfactory internal consistency. However, the results also revealed unsolved issues regarding relevance, targeting, and internal consistency, as well as a probable scaling failure. CONCLUSION: The translated and adapted questionnaire can be used to identify family members unmet needs of support throughout the colorectal cancer trajectory. The questionnaire showed promising validity and reliability in the target population. However, it needs to be further evaluated in a larger sample, preferably involving factor analysis and stability over time.

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnose globally. At times of cancer, also the health and wellbeing of the surrounding family members is negatively affected. As a result, family members of persons diagnosed with cancer report that they too need support. Still, no validated questionnaire that enable measurement of family members needs of support throughout the colorectal cancer trajectory existed in Swedish. Thus, the present study undertook the process of translation of a questionnaire from English to Swedish. Thereto, evaluated it among Swedish family members of persons diagnosed with colorectal cancer. The evaluation showed a successful translation and the translated questionnaire appeared reliable and useful for measuring the family members´ needs of support throughout the colorectal cancer trajectory. However, it requires further evaluation.

"The only thing I wonder is when I will have surgery again": everyday life for children with right ventricle outflow tract anomalies during assessment for heart surgery.

BACKGROUND: Children with right ventricle outflow tract anomalies require repeated heart surgeries, thereby needing regular preoperative assessments throughout their lifetime. This situation puts a heavy burden on these children. Thus, the aim of this study was to explore how children diagnosed with right ventricle outflow tract anomalies experience their heart disease and their everyday life during the preoperative assessment and after the decision on whether to perform a new cardiac surgery. METHODS: Individual interviews were conducted with nine children between 9 to 17 years of age on three occasions from 2014 to 2016. In total there were 27 interviews which all were analyzed with thematic analysis. RESULTS: The analysis yielded three themes and eight subthemes. The theme Me and my heart disease concerns children's experiences of the heart disease. Almost all described symptoms and how they adapt in their everyday life. The theme Being me concerns the children's sense of self, where their heart disease was not prominent. The theme Being placed in someone else's hands describes how the assessment was more of a safety net at least until the decision of heart surgery. CONCLUSION: The children's symptoms, their experiences during the assessment, their future surgeries and how the heart disease affects their everyday life could be better understood as elements of their adaptation to the heart disease. In order to achieve individualized support based on the child's experiences and to ensure that these children are involved in their own care a child-centered approach is recommended.

Cancer specialist nurses' experiences of supporting family members of persons diagnosed with colorectal cancer: A qualitative study.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the present study was to explore cancer specialist nurses' experiences of supporting family members of persons diagnosed with colorectal cancer. METHOD: The study was designed as a qualitative study. Data was collected using individual semi-structured telephone interviews with 21 cancer specialist nurses. The interviews were transcribed and analysed with reflexive thematic analysis. RESULTS: The analysis generated one overarching theme, In the shadow of the person diagnosed with colorectal cancer, and four themes: striving for confidence, searching for ways to support, seeking individualization, and balancing between needs. Swedish colorectal cancer care is organized with the persons diagnosed with colorectal cancer as the centre of care and lacks both structure and allocated resources for supportive care for family members. Thus, support for family members has to be provided within the existing colorectal cancer care. The support provided focuses mainly on strengthening the family members' ability in the caregiving role and is offered primarily at the time of diagnosis. CONCLUSION: There is an apparent need for developing supportive care plans for family members, involving repeated assessments of multidimensional needs, a tailored support, and follow-ups. Accordingly, a re-evaluation of the cancer specialist nurse's role is needed so that key nursing responsibilities are not ranked second to administrative tasks.

Bachelor nursing students´ and their educators´ experiences of teaching strategies targeting critical thinking: A scoping review.

AIM: The objective of this scoping review was to review the published literature on existing teaching strategies targeting bachelor nursing students' critical thinking and explore how these strategies are described by students and educators. The research questions were: (i) Which teaching strategies are described in the literature targeting critical thinking among nursing students? and (ii) How are these teaching strategies described and experienced by students and/or nurse educators? BACKGROUND: Critical thinking is integrated in the many clinical assignments and responsibilities with which registered nurses are faced. Therefore, it is important that nurse educators implement teaching strategies supporting bachelor nursing students' development of critical thinking to prepare them for their professional responsibilities. DESIGN: Scoping review, Open Science Framework (OSF) registries DOI: 10.17605/OSF.IO/D89SB. METHODS: The scoping review followed the six steps of Arksey and O'Malley (2005). Systematic searches were conducted using the databases PubMed, CINAHL, ERIC, ERC and PsycINFO. Eligible studies were quality assessed and text excerpts answering the research questions were analysed by a thematic analysis. RESULTS: Our findings represent 19 published studies and can be understood according to two themes: the importance of the educational conditions and the impact of implemented teaching strategies. The first theme reflected not only the descriptions of important traits in the educational milieu facilitating the development of critical thinking but also the importance of how the content targeting such skills were delivered and organised. The second theme mirrored descriptions of how the students, through the teaching strategies, realized the need for collaboration to facilitate critical thinking. Further, it showed how the teaching strategies fostered professional growth and learning adaptation, by encouraging the students to question their knowledge and facilitating their development of clinical knowledge. CONCLUSIONS: The strategies used in the facilitation of critical thinking need to incorporate collaboration and student-centredness, creating a relaxed climate where the educators can assist through guidance and support. This calls for the implementation of teaching strategies whereby both educators and students are active in facilitating the learning environment.

Translation, adaptation and testing of an emergency care satisfaction scale in Swedish pediatric emergency departments.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric healthcare today shows a rising demand for research focusing on children's perspectives on and consumer satisfaction with the nursing care they receive. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to translate and adapt the Consumer Emergency Care Satisfaction Scale (CECSS), a paper-based, self-administered 19-item questionnaire originally developed in the United States and targeted towards adults, and then test the new version in Swedish pediatric emergency departments. METHODS: The study was designed with a two-phase approach. Firstly, a forward-backward translation of the CECSS, involving expert consensus, was performed, and then the questionnaire was adapted for children aged 10-18 and assessed for face and content validity. Secondly, the translated and adapted questionnaire was tested with a clinical sample for construct validity, internal consistency, and reliability. This last aspect was assessed using a structured telephone interview 7-10 days after the participant visited a pediatric emergency department. All children participating in this study gave their assent (< 15 years) or consent (≥ 15 years), and their guardian's written informed consent was also obtained. RESULTS: The paper-based, self-administered 19-item Swedish version of the CECSS was tested on a clinical sample consisting of 203 nonurgent children (boys: n = 109, 53.7 % and girls: n = 94, 46.3 %) between 10 and 18 years (mean age 13.8, SD 2.29). The factor analysis revealed three factors that explain 63.1 % of the total variation in the 15 items. The Cronbach's alphas for the three dimensions (caring, teaching, and clinical competence) varied between 0.79 and 0.88. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for the entire Swedish version of the CECSS was 0.58, and the ICCs for the three dimensions varied between 0.56 and 0.71. CONCLUSIONS: The results show that the developed Swedish Pediatric Consumer Emergency Care Satisfaction Scale (p-CECSS-S) is a valid, stable and easy-to-use-questionnaire that can be used to assess children's satisfaction with nursing care.

Models of support to family members during the trajectory of cancer: A scoping review.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To map the existing literature on support models provided to family members during the cancer trajectory. BACKGROUND: Cancer diagnosis, treatment and survivorship have a profound influence on the surrounding family members. This scoping review is part of the development of a support model for family members of persons diagnosed with colorectal cancer. DESIGN: The method was guided by the Arksey and O'Malley framework, described in the Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines, and the reporting is compliant with PRISMA-ScR Checklist. Searches were conducted in PubMed, CINAHL and PsycINFO from November 2019-February 2020 with no limitation in publication year or study design. Complementing searches were conducted in reference lists and for grey literature, followed by an additional search in September 2020. Inclusion criteria were primary research about support provided by health care, to family members, during cancer, of an adult person, in Swedish or English, of moderate or high methodological quality. Quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tools. Data were extracted using a charting form. RESULT: A total of 32 studies were included in the review describing 39 support models. CONCLUSION: The mapping of the existing literature resulted in the identification of three themes of support models: psychoeducation, caregiver training and psychological support. In addition, that future research should target a specific diagnosis and trajectory phase as well as include family members and intervention providers in model development. RELEVANCE FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE: Knowledge from the literature on both the needs of the family members and existing support models should be incorporated with the prerequisites of clinical practice. Clinical practice should also be complemented with structured assessments of family members' needs conducted regularly.

The Usefulness of Brief Family Health Conversations Offered to Families Following the Diagnosis of Breast Cancer.

Currently, there are few studies which examine targeted family-focused support when a family member is diagnosed with breast cancer. Thus, the aim of this study was to explore families' experiences of participating in a family nursing intervention identified as Brief Family Health Conversations (BFamHC) following the diagnosis of breast cancer. Semi-structured family interviews were conducted with nine families (including 29 family members) 2 weeks following the family-focused intervention of three sessions of BFamHC. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. Families reported the BFamHC as positive and as a unique kind of family health conversation, one that afforded them the opportunity to communicate and share their experiences as a family group. A family conversation, even one as time-limited as BFamHC, offered a sense of relational sharing and togetherness, thus preventing feelings of isolation and vulnerability. Therapeutic family-focused conversations, such as BFamHC, hold promise as a useful family nursing intervention following the diagnosis of breast cancer.

Models of support to family members during the trajectory of cancer: a scoping review protocol.

INTRODUCTION: A cancer diagnose, for example, colorectal cancer, not only affects the cancer-person stricken, but also the surrounding family. Thus, this scoping review intends to identify appropriate models of support that will guide the development of a model of support to family members during the trajectory of colorectal cancer. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This scoping review will be guided by the methodological framework developed by Arksey and O'Malley, refined by Levac et al and Colquhoun et al, and described by the Joanna Briggs Institute. All the stages will be conducted iteratively and reflexively. First, a search strategy will be developed with a librarian and applied in the following peer-reviewed databases: PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature and PsycINFO. Additional searches will be performed in Google Scholar and SwePub for identification of grey literature and hand searched in the reference lists. Searches will be conducted from December 2019 to February 2020. A draft of the preliminary search strategy was performed in PubMed in November 2019. Subsequently, three members of the research team will independently screen all abstracts for relevance, as well as the full-text articles. Studies meeting the inclusion criteria will be critically evaluated using the Joanna Brigg Institute Critical Appraisal Tools. A descriptive summary of study characteristics and of the scoping review process will be presented, including a visual flow diagram. Lastly, a thematic analysis as presented by Braun and Clarke will be conducted. To enhance validity, contact nurses of persons with colorectal cancer will be provided an overview of the preliminary results. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Being a secondary analysis, ethical approval is not needed for this study. The findings of the analysis will be used to inform the design of a future study aiming to develop a model of support and an upcoming scoping review, which will be published in a scientific journal and presented at relevant conferences.

Teaching strategies and outcome assessments targeting critical thinking in bachelor nursing students: a scoping review protocol.

INTRODUCTION: Applying critical thinking is essential for nursing students both in an academic and clinical context. Particularly, as critical thinking is a vital part of nurses' everyday problem-solving and decision-making processes. Therefore, regardless of the topic taught or the setting in which it is taught, it requires teaching strategies especially targeting students' critical thinking skills and abilities. One challenge with the latter is the difficulties to assess and evaluate the impact of such teaching strategies on the students' critical thinking disposition. Hence, our objective will be to review published literature on; existing teaching strategies and outcomes assessments targeting nursing students' critical thinking skills and abilities. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Our scoping review will be conducted in accordance with Arksey and O'Malley's framework for scoping studies. Search strategies will be developed in cooperation with an experienced librarian, and adjusted to each individual database for example, CINAHL, PubMed, PsycINFO, ERIC and ERC. A preliminary search in CINAHL was conducted on the 17th of July 2019. Peer-reviewed published studies conducted with a qualitative, quantitative or mixed method design and focussing our objectives, will be eligible for inclusion. Included studies will be quality assessed in accordance with their study design. Data will be charted using a standardised extraction form. The qualitative data will be presented through a thematic analyses, and the quantitative data by descriptive numerical analysis. Lastly, nurse educators and nursing students will be consulted for validation of the findings from the scoping review. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Under the Swedish Ethical Review Act (2003:460) this study does not need ethical clearance by a Regional Ethical Review Authority as it not includes any primary empirical data on biological material or sensitive information. The findings will be used to inform the design of a future study aiming to develop an, and subsequently evaluate it, educational intervention targeting teaching strategies focussing on nursing students' critical thinking skills and abilities.

An Exploratory Study of the Everyday Life of Swedish Children on Home Parenteral Nutrition and Their Families.

BACKGROUND: Improved survival rates of preterm infants and critically ill children has resulted in an increasing number of children growing up on HPN. However, how the child and the child's family experience HPN is sparsely studied. PURPOSE: Thus, this study aims to elucidate the everyday life experiences of children with intestinal failure on HPN from the perspective of the child and the child's family. DESIGN AND METHODS: We used a qualitative inductive study that included semi-structured interviews from 13 family members in six families, and we analyzed them using content analysis. RESULTS: The family members' experiences had an overall theme, having to take on a full-time (nursing) responsibility, and fell into three categories: family restrictions, family adjustments, and family uncertainty. CONCLUSION: Families on HPN had to shoulder an in-home round-the-clock (nursing) responsibility that came with a daily logistical challenge. The complexity of HPN complicates the possibility of external support, so the families choose to keep the burden within the family; consequently single-parent households have limited possibilities for relief and recovery. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: To minimize the intrusion of the treatment in family's everyday life and, thereby, support the families, health care professionals might find it beneficial to obtain an inventory of the everyday life needs of each specific family when first introducing HPN. Further, by encouraging close kin to participate in the HPN education these families may be unburdened some more. In addition, it is essential that professionals follow the families protocol for management and not the other way around.

Critical Friends: Health Professionals' Experiences of Collegial Feedback in a Clinical Setting.

INTRODUCTION: A critical friend is a trusted person who asks provocative questions, provides data to be examined through another lens, and offers critique of a person's work as part of collegial feedback. However, empirical evidence presenting the use of collegial feedback to develop health professionals' competence in clinical settings seems to be scarce. The aim of this study was to explore health professionals' experiences of observing each other as critical friends in a clinical setting, as part of a continuous professional development initiative. METHODS: The study was designed as a qualitative inductive study. Reflective journals written by health professionals (n = 57) were analyzed using thematic networks. The health professionals represented registered nurses and registered nurses with different specialist education (eg, in pediatrics, mental health, intensive care, and anesthesiology), biomedical scientists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, and dental hygienists. RESULTS: Health professionals can successfully use collegial feedback and benefit from critical friendships in clinical settings as it offers ample opportunities for reflection before, during, and after the observation. A key finding was that to incorporate changes to professional practice, each individual needs to not only act as a critical friend but also experience being observed by a critical friend. DISCUSSION: Based on the results of this study, it seems worthwhile to implement and further develop opportunities for health professionals to act as critical friends. We suggest that future research explore not only how professional competence develops over time but also how it impacts on health-related outcomes for patients.

Swedish Children's Lived Experience of Ulcerative Colitis.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is increasing in children. When this lifelong illness is diagnosed in childhood, especially during adolescence, it may have a negative impact on children's quality of life. The aim of the present study was to illuminate the meaning of children's lived experience of ulcerative colitis. Seven children aged between 10 and 18 years were recruited from University Hospital South Sweden and interviewed about the phenomenon under scrutiny. Data were analyzed by means of a phenomenological hermeneutical method. The meaning of the children's lived experience of ulcerative colitis was summed up as a main theme. A daily struggle to adapt and be perceived as normal consisted of 4 subthemes: being healthy despite the symptoms, being healthy despite being afraid, being healthy despite a sense of being different, and being healthy despite needing support. The children strove to perceive themselves as healthy, and they needed to be perceived as healthy, especially when experiencing symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease. Children with inflammatory bowel disease confront various problems, such as ambitions and goals that are hard to achieve, due to reduced abilities as a result of the illness or an insufficiently adapted environment.

Hoping to reach a safe haven - Swedish families' lived experience when a family member is diagnosed with breast cancer.

PURPOSE: When a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer, it affects all family members. Therefore, the aim of this study was to elucidate family members lived experience when a family member is diagnosed with breast cancer. METHOD: The study had a hermeneutic phenomenological design including individual conversational interviews conducted face-to-face with six women with breast cancer and their family members at two different points of time, in order to elucidate families' lived experience, both as individuals and as a unit, from each family member's perspective. RESULTS: Living as a family in the presence of breast cancer is a challenging endeavour to regain an ordinary, safe life, hoping to reach a safe haven. The families felt that life as they knew it had disappeared and they were fumbling in the dark, trying to find support and guidance on their path to ordinary life. The family members were pursuing balance by attempting to keep the family together and maintaining a positive attitude while battling against fear and treatment-related side effects. Finally, the families were struggling with guilt and inadequacy, due to their difficulties in communicating the emotional distress that the illness brought upon them, at the same time as they felt abandoned by the healthcare professionals. CONCLUSIONS: Families experience an unmet need of information and support, which implies that healthcare professionals may want to acknowledge and include the family already at the time of diagnosis in order to help them endure and cope with the distressing experience and thus increase their wellbeing.

Everyday life after a radical prostatectomy - A qualitative study of men under 65 years of age.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to illuminate how men under 65 years of age experience their everyday Life one year or more after a radical prostatectomy for localised prostate cancer. METHOD: Interviews with 19 men aged under 65 were performed 12-18 months after their radical prostatectomy. The interviews were analysed using a thematic content analysis. RESULTS: The analysis of the interviews revealed three categories of experiences: 'Paying a price for survival', 'Feeling sidestepped' and 'Living with death lurking around the corner'. The side effects of the prostatectomy, such as sexual dysfunction, resulted in a changed self-image with a loss of manliness and reduced self-esteem. The men felt sidestepped and that they did not receive enough support. Prostate cancer was experienced as an embarrassing disease and the men felt their fundamental needs could not be openly discussed. Having cancer was associated with death. Thoughts about death faded away during recovery after the operation, but grew stronger in certain situations and reminded the men about their cancer. Returning to work and to previous activities helped them cope with the thoughts about death. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests a need for improved rehabilitation after a radical prostatectomy, including more structured sexual rehabilitation, and involving the partner. Sharing the experiences of other men who have undergone prostate cancer surgery may also be beneficial.

How do patients with peripheral arterial disease communicate their knowledge about their illness and treatments? A qualitative descriptive study.

BACKGROUND: Peripheral arterial disease is a chronic illness, and patients with peripheral arterial disease should receive advice about lifestyle changes and medical therapies to reduce further atherosclerotic complications. Previous research has indicated that patients with peripheral arterial disease lack information about their disease and secondary prevention measures. The aim was to elucidate how patients with peripheral arterial disease communicate their knowledge about their illness and treatments. METHODS: During 2009, seven focus group interviews were conducted with twenty-one patients (50-81 years old) with peripheral arterial disease and were analysed using content analysis. RESULTS: When respondents with PAD communicate their knowledge about the illness and its treatments they "Navigate through uncertainty, believes and facts about PAD, displaying an active or passive information-seeking behaviour". After discharge, they felt a feeling of relief at first, which was later exchanged into uncertainty from their restricted knowledge about the illness and how to behave following revascularisation. For example, during the discussions about risk factors, smoking was noted as a major risk factor, that triggered feelings of guilt. Thus, the respondents needed to consult other sources of information to manage their everyday lives. CONCLUSIONS: Following endovascular treatment, the short amount of time spent with peripheral arterial disease patients requires innovative guidance in clinical practice to meet individuals' needs regardless of whether the patient actively or passively understands and manages their peripheral arterial disease.

Polyethylene Glycol- or Sodium Picosulphate-Based Laxatives Before Colonoscopy in Children.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this randomised study was to compare the quality of bowel cleansing using either polyethylene glycol (PEG) or sodium picosulphate (NaPico) (primary outcome) in relation to the tolerability and acceptance of these laxatives among children and their caregivers (secondary outcome). METHODS: The study was a randomised controlled trial that was conducted as an investigator-blinded study within the Department of Paediatrics of Skåne University Hospital in Malmö, Sweden. A total of 72 children (10-18 years of age) were randomly placed into 1 of 2 groups (PEG or NaPico). The Ottawa Bowel Preparation Quality Score was used to evaluate the quality of bowel cleansing. A total of 2 different questionnaires were used to evaluate both the acceptability and tolerability of the laxatives. RESULTS: In total, 71 children completed the bowel cleansing. Of these 71 cleanses, 67 protocols were analysed according to the Ottawa Bowel Preparation Quality Score. No significant difference in bowel cleansing quality was detected between the 2 groups. Rates of acceptability and tolerability were significantly higher in the NaPico group than in the PEG group. CONCLUSIONS: In the present study, both laxatives were found to be satisfactory in terms of aiding the performance of an uncomplicated and successful colonoscopy. NaPico was, however, more tolerable to the children than PEG, and both, the children and their caregivers, were more accepting of NaPico than of PEG. Consequently, NaPico can be recommended as the option for bowel cleansing in children ages 10 years and older.

High School Students' Experiences in School Toilets or Restrooms.

Previous research about school toilets is based on studies of children in elementary school. Thus, the aim of this study was to explore the experiences when using the school toilets reported by students aged 16-18 years. Qualitative interviews with 21 students were conducted and analyzed using content analysis. The data revealed that the toilets were considered insecure, dirty, and unpleasant. Additionally, students refrained from drinking during school hours and remained in constant movement or jumped up and down to withhold urine and stool. This was illustrated in the following categories: assessing the toilet environment, coping with the situation, and feeling exposed Hence, there is an urgent need to improve the school toilet environment in order to respect the rights of all students to void or defecate when necessary, a process which will require involvement of students, teachers, and other school staff as well as the School Health Service.

Parents' experiences when their child is undergoing an elective colonoscopy.

PURPOSE: The purpose was to illuminate parents' experiences when their children are undergoing an elective colonoscopy performed using polyethylene glycol-based regimes for bowel preparation. DESIGN AND METHODS: Individual interviews with 12 parents were performed and analysed using content analysis. RESULTS: The parents' experiences were structured into one theme: "Charged with conflicting emotions" with three categories: "Being forced to force," "Losing one's sense of being a parent" and "Standing without guidance." PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Understanding parents' experiences can help healthcare staff guide parents in helping their children undergo a colonoscopy.

A private affair: children's experiences prior to colonoscopy.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To illuminate children's experiences prior to colonoscopy. BACKGROUND: It is well known that children need to be well prepared before undergoing stressful medical procedures, and the goal of such preparations should focus on minimising their level of anxiety. The clinical investigation of children with suspected inflammatory bowel disease involves several steps, with colonoscopy being routinely used to investigate the colon and the lower part of the small intestine. To minimise children's anxiety during various medical procedures, it is important that information about their experiences is obtained directly from the children themselves. DESIGN: A qualitative study. METHOD: The study was designed as a qualitative interview study involving 17 children aged 10-17 years undergoing colonoscopy at a children's university hospital in Sweden. Verbatim transcripts were analysed using content analysis. RESULTS: The children's experiences prior to colonoscopy were identified as belonging to an overall theme, a private affair, and to four categories: preparing yourself, mastering the situation, reluctantly participating and feeling emotional support. CONCLUSION: This study shows that children's experiences prior to colonoscopy are a private affair and that the preparation needs to be individually adapted for the 'preprocedural' preparation to be comprehended. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The children's experiences ascertained in this study can contribute to a greater understanding of children's needs prior to a colonoscopy and may provide professional care staff with the basis for future nursing assessments.