A qualitative study exploring the psychosocial value of weekend camping experiences for children and adolescents with complex heart defects.

BACKGROUND: Children living with complex heart defects (CHD) are likely to have ongoing social, emotional, physical, and health concerns, and are in need of additional psychosocial support. Summer camps can provide therapeutic benefits. Little research exists regarding the value of shorter camping experiences from the perspectives of children with CHD. The aim of our study was to explore what children and adolescents with CHD considered meaningful when attending a therapeutic camping weekend in the company of peers with similar medical diagnoses. METHODS: Engaging a phenomenological approach we used participant generated photography and reflective semi-structured interviews to explore participants' lived experience and value derived from their weekend camping experiences. The study was completed with thirteen participants ranging in age from 9 to 16 years. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed using Van Manen's guidelines. RESULTS: Three themes reflecting the camp experiences were generated from the data. Meaningful experiences spanned three outcomes which had some overlapping influences: (i) Developing relationships and feeling accepted by peers and counsellors at camp; (ii) Enjoying and learning during the weekend; and (iii) Experiencing the natural and human-built therapeutic environmental features of camp. The camping programme features, inputs, and processes as identified by the participants in contributing to these outcomes are described. CONCLUSION: This qualitative study showed that children living with complex CHD valued the opportunity for participating in weekend camping experiences in the company of peers with similar heart defects. Findings contribute to a better understanding of what programme features and processes were considered meaningful. Given the scarcity of resources to devote to such social support activities, the findings may help professionals to plan effective interventions to maximize benefits during a shorter camping experience.

Development and validation of packed column supercritical fluid chromatographic technique for quantification of chlorzoxazone, paracetamol and aceclofenac in their individual and combined dosage forms.

A reproducible, rapid and sensitive method has been developed for the assay of chlorzoxazone (CHL), paracetamol (PCM) and aceclofenac (ACE) in their combined solid dosage forms using packed-column supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC). The analytes were resolved by elution with supercritical carbon dioxide doped with 15% v/v methanol as the modifier on an ACE 5 Phenyl column (150 × 4.6 mm, 5 µm). The detection was carried out at 215 nm using a UV-Visible detector. The densities and polarities of the mobile phase were optimized from the effects of pressure, temperature and modifier concentration on chromatographic parameters like retention time, retention factor, resolution, asymmetry and theoretical plates. Modifier concentration proved to be the most effective means for changing both retention and selectivity. The developed method was validated as per International Conference on Harmonization guidelines. The developed SFC method was compared with a reported high-performance liquid chromatography method for the estimation of CHL, PCM and ACE using Student t-test. With respect to the speed and use of organic solvents, SFC was found to be superior and eco-friendly. The developed SFC method was successfully used for the assay of different marketed formulations containing CHL, PCM and ACE individually and in combination.