Our previous work demonstrated that digital video recording of operations is the best way to describe the morphological features and complex dynamic physiology of surgical treatment of congenitally malformed hearts. Parental consent is required for video recording, and some parents have requested, and obtained, a copy of the video of the operation performed on their child. Our present aim was to explore their feelings and opinions having viewed the recording of the surgical procedures.

This exploratory study examined the views of 17 parents, comprising 7 couples, 2 mothers, and 1 father, after requesting, and then watching, the recording of the operation performed on their child. The audio-taped, semistructured interviews were analyzed for the thematic content.

All parents watched the videos at least once, and no parent exhibited distress as a result. Curiosity and desire for learning, and wanting to know what exactly happened to the child during the operation, were the most common reasons for requesting the video. Parents reported that the videos were also useful in sharing the experience with family and friends. The videos had no effect on the attitudes of the parents towards the surgical team. Parents made recommendations to increase the length of the edited videos and add labels and voice-overs.

Parents of children with congenitally malformed hearts want to watch the recording of the operation performed because of their need for information, and to understand the experience of their children when separated from them. Research is needed to assess the potential value of operative videos in facilitating parental knowledge and coping when children undergo major cardiac surgery.