Child: care, health and development
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Child Care Health Dev · Nov 2015
Adolescent and parental perceptions about asthma and asthma management: a dyadic qualitative analysis.
Considering that asthma management is a family affair - with specific challenges in adolescence - a better understanding of both adolescent and parental perspectives on asthma and its treatment are needed as these constructs may substantially account for variation in illness-related behaviour and functioning. The present study aimed to (1) explore adolescents' and caregivers' perceptions about asthma and asthma management and (2) examine congruence and dissimilarities within the adolescent-caregiver dyads. ⋯ Adolescents' and caregivers' perceptions were found to reflect a great variety of beliefs regarding the adolescents' illness and illness-related behaviour on both the individual and the family level. The study adds to the illness perceptions literature by providing a systemic perspective that was rather rarely presented in prior research.
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Child Care Health Dev · Nov 2015
Spinal fusion in girls with Rett syndrome: post-operative recovery and family experiences.
Rett syndrome is a severe neurodevelopmental disorder mainly affecting females and scoliosis is a common co-morbidity. Spinal fusion may be recommended if the scoliosis is progressive. This qualitative study investigated recovery of girls with Rett syndrome during the first 12 post-operative months and explored family perspectives and coping around the time of surgery. ⋯ Our study identified clinical practice issues in relation to families whose daughter with Rett syndrome undergoes spinal fusion, issues that are also relevant to other severe disabilities. Return of wellness and gross motor skills following spinal fusion in girls with Rett syndrome occurred within the first 12 post-operative months in most cases. Parents require information and practical support to alleviate their emotional burden.
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Child Care Health Dev · Nov 2015
Preparing for the future: An examination of healthcare provider and patient communication regarding childhood cancer survivorship.
This qualitative, exploratory study examines the content of communication between healthcare providers (HCP) and childhood cancer patients (CCP) during a medical appointment to evaluate the extent to which cancer survivorship issues (medical and psychosocial) are discussed. ⋯ Most discussions of survivorship are medically focused, potentially leaving patients with little information about future psychosocial functioning. Recommendations for future research on enhancing discussions about psychosocial issues are presented. This research has the potential to inform future interventions to enhance patient-provider communication on survivorship issues.
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Child Care Health Dev · Nov 2015
Disparities in health-related quality of life among healthy adolescents in a developing country - the impact of gender, ethnicity, socio-economic status and weight status.
Physical functioning and psychological resilience in adulthood is shaped during adolescence. Self-reported health-related quality of life (HRQoL) assessments during this life phase are important first-hand accounts of their well-being. This study aimed, firstly, to identify differences in HRQoL according to gender, ethnicity, socio-economic status and weight status; and secondly, to examine associations between weight status and HRQoL among an urban sample of multi-ethnic adolescents in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. ⋯ These findings detected disparities in HRQoL among the adolescents when gender, ethnicity, maternal education level and weight status were considered. Further studies should address these health inequalities by implementing gender-specific and culturally appropriate measures to attain optimal well-being and avoid potential burden of disease.