CHICAGO, February 10, 2026 – Parents navigating the complex world of medical devices for their children at home are facing significant hurdles, from obtaining the necessary equipment to safely using it, a new study reveals. The research highlights a critical gap between the need for these devices and the support families receive, potentially leading to increased emergency room visits and hospitalizations.
Device Disconnect: Families Struggle with At-Home Medical Care
A new study reveals significant challenges parents face when using medical devices to care for children with complex medical needs at home.
- Parents report a lack of clear communication and education regarding available medical devices.
- Many commonly used devices, like pulse oximeters and feeding pumps, have design flaws that create safety risks.
- Families often resort to improvising solutions to overcome device limitations and access issues.
- Insurance processes and supplier delays frequently hinder access to effective medical technology.
- Parents prioritize durable, intuitive, and safe designs in medical devices for their children.
“Prior research has linked challenges with home device use to emergency department visits, hospitalizations and parent workarounds,” said Peter Walsh, Behavioral Research Coordinator at Foster Health Lab. “In our study, we aimed to understand parent experiences with in-home devices and identify opportunities for improvement. We hope to advance pediatric device product research and development to better support the wellbeing of children with medical complexity in their everyday lives.”
What are the biggest challenges parents face when using medical devices at home? Parents consistently report difficulties with communication, device design, and access, creating a stressful and potentially dangerous environment for children with medical complexity.
Researchers conducted in-depth interviews with 17 parents and, with their consent, reviewed 97 photos illustrating device setups and related storage solutions within their homes. The analysis revealed five key themes impacting the effectiveness and safety of at-home medical care.
A significant issue is the disconnect between suppliers, healthcare providers, and parents regarding available medical products. Parents also noted frequent design flaws in essential devices like pulse oximeters, suction machines, and feeding pumps, leading to safety concerns and diminished quality of life. Faced with these shortcomings, parents often rely on their own ingenuity to address unmet needs and overcome design limitations.
Structural barriers, such as navigating insurance processes and enduring supplier delays, further complicate access to high-quality medical devices. Ultimately, parents prioritize devices that are durable, easy to understand, reliable, and, crucially, safe for their children.
“We found evidence that in-home user experience is critical when designing medical devices, so that common device flaws and the needs of children with medical complexity and their families could receive greater attention,” said Carolyn Foster, MD, MS, pediatrician and Director of Health@Home Initiative.
Dr. Foster emphasized the importance of incorporating parent feedback into the design process. “Parent and family advisory boards may help designers appreciate the real-world consequences of design choices within the home setting. To improve the safety of at-home medical devices, parent voices should be integral to the design process.”
The study was a collaborative effort between the Foster Health Lab, Health@Home, and Innovate2Impact initiatives.
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