Abstract
Abstract
Background: Local primary care data shows a 24% increase in the rate of acute presentations
with common self-limiting infections for children aged 0-4 years between 2015/16 - 2016/17. As
rates of serious illness have decreased, this means increasing numbers of presentations could be
managed elsewhere. Although parents rarely expect antibiotics, they are often perceived to want them by clinicians; potentially resulting in more antibiotic prescriptions and driving future health-seeking
behaviour.
Aims: To explore parent expectations, concerns and opinions about the primary care management of
children presenting with respiratory tract infections (RTIs).
methods: Semi-structured interviews with parents of children aged 0-4 years presenting to primary care clinicians with symptoms of a respiratory tract infection. Analysis involved thematic review.
Results: Parents used experience or ‘parental instinct’ when deciding to consult; this was due to
seeing a similar illness before and receiving treatment, or alternatively having never seen this illness and being unsure of what to do. Parents saw the usefulness of written information describing actions to take and when to consult when their child was unwell. There was an about even split between those
preferring paper and those preferring web-based resources. All parents sought input from a clinician for reassurance.
Conclusion: Better understanding of parent expectations when consulting clinicians with unwell
children could facilitate a more effective consultation. Parents expect reassurance about their child’s illness, but inconsistent advice and management from healthcare professionals, such as prescribing antibiotics, act to increase parental anxiety and potentially drives future health-seeking behaviour. Changing the way clinicians communicate, including the use of consistent messages, may have a
positive impact during current and future acute illnesses.
Background: Local primary care data shows a 24% increase in the rate of acute presentations
with common self-limiting infections for children aged 0-4 years between 2015/16 - 2016/17. As
rates of serious illness have decreased, this means increasing numbers of presentations could be
managed elsewhere. Although parents rarely expect antibiotics, they are often perceived to want them by clinicians; potentially resulting in more antibiotic prescriptions and driving future health-seeking
behaviour.
Aims: To explore parent expectations, concerns and opinions about the primary care management of
children presenting with respiratory tract infections (RTIs).
methods: Semi-structured interviews with parents of children aged 0-4 years presenting to primary care clinicians with symptoms of a respiratory tract infection. Analysis involved thematic review.
Results: Parents used experience or ‘parental instinct’ when deciding to consult; this was due to
seeing a similar illness before and receiving treatment, or alternatively having never seen this illness and being unsure of what to do. Parents saw the usefulness of written information describing actions to take and when to consult when their child was unwell. There was an about even split between those
preferring paper and those preferring web-based resources. All parents sought input from a clinician for reassurance.
Conclusion: Better understanding of parent expectations when consulting clinicians with unwell
children could facilitate a more effective consultation. Parents expect reassurance about their child’s illness, but inconsistent advice and management from healthcare professionals, such as prescribing antibiotics, act to increase parental anxiety and potentially drives future health-seeking behaviour. Changing the way clinicians communicate, including the use of consistent messages, may have a
positive impact during current and future acute illnesses.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Number of pages | 12 |
| Journal | Self Care |
| Volume | 9 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| Publication status | Accepted/In press - 24 Oct 2018 |
Keywords
- Health information
- health literacy
- self-care
- childhood illness
- children
- parents
- anxiety.