Search

Objective: To explore situations in which parents with an ill child consult a physician and to identify trigger factors for consultation., Design and Settings: Qualitative interviews with parents of young children. Parents were asked to describe the situation in which the decision to contact the physician was made., Subjects: A total of 20 families selected from a birth cohort from Frederiksborg County. The cohort numbered 194 of 389 children born between 1 and 28 February 2001. The cohort was followed prospectively from the age of 9 to 12 months by diary (January-April), and retrospectively from birth to the age of 9 months by questionnaire. Families were chosen on the basis of information provided in a questionnaire, diary illness pattern and a telephone conversation., Results: Nine trigger factors associated with physician contacts were identified. Parents' answers demonstrated how their feelings and logical reasoning while caring for an ill child led them to consult the physician. The main reasons for consultation were children's protracted or aggravated symptoms. Parents initially tried to handle the situation but when unsuccessful information and advice was sought by consulting a physician., Conclusions: Parents consult the physician when they feel overtaxed, afraid, or inadequately prepared to care for their ill child. They considered seriously whether to consult a physician or not.

Objectives. Some parents with a sick infant contact a doctor, while others do not. The reasons underlying such parental decisions have not been thoroughly studied. The purpose of this study was to explore how the actual symptoms in the infant were associated with parent-rated illness, illness severity, and the probability of the parents contacting a doctor. Design. A retrospective questionnaire and a prospective diary study covering 14 months of the participating infants'' lives. Setting and subjects. The 194 participating infants were followed for three months prospectively from the age of 11 to 14 months using diary cards, and retrospectively from birth until the age of 11 months by a questionnaire. Results. During the three months of the diary card prospective follow-up, the infants had symptoms on average every second day, and the vast majority (92%) had 10 or more days with at least one symptom; 38% of the infants were reported to have had five or more symptoms for more than five days. Fever, earache, and vomiting were the symptoms most likely to cause parents to rate their infant as ill. Earache was the symptom that triggered doctor contact most immediately. The parent-rated illness severity was strongly related to the tendency to contact a doctor. However, this association was markedly weaker when adjustment was made for the infant not eating normally, having a cough, or running a fever. Conclusion. Specific symptoms such as fever, earache, and vomiting were strongly associated with the probability of parents rating the infant as ill. An earache would cause the parents to contact a doctor. Fever and vomiting were other symptoms triggering doctor contacts. First, these symptoms could cause the parents to want a doctor's expert evaluation of the infant's illness; second, the parents could expect medication to be necessary; or third, it could just be difficult for the parents to handle the ill infant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. Parents of sick children frequently visit their general practitioners (GPs). The aim was to explore parents' interpretation of their child's incipient signs and symptoms when falling ill and their subsequent unsatisfactory experience with the GP in order to make suggestions for improvements in the medical encounter. Design. Semi-structured interviews. Setting and subjects. Twenty strategically selected families with a child from a birth cohort in Frederiksborg County, Denmark were interviewed. Results. Parents wanted to consult their GP at the right time, i.e. neither too early nor too late. Well-educated parents experienced a discrepancy between their knowledge about their child, the information they had sought about the illness and the consultation with the GP, when they were dismissed with phrases such as ''it will disappear'' or ''it is just a virus''. The parents went along with the GP's advice if the child only occasionally became sick. However, parents of children with recurrent illnesses seemed very frustrated. During the course of several consultations with their GP, they started to question the GP's competence as the child did not regain health. Conclusions. Parents want to be acknowledged as competent collaborators. The GP's failure to acknowledge the parents' knowledge of their child's current illness, and the parents' attempt to identify what is wrong with the child and make the child feel better before the encounter may have consequences for the GP's credibility. It is therefore recommended that parents of children with recurrent illnesses receive extra attention and information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. The sale of paracetamol products for children is increasing, and more children are accidentally given overdoses, even though the use of paracetamol against fever is still under discussion. This study explores Danish parents’ use of paracetamol for feverish children and their motives for this use. Design. A cross-sectional survey using structured interviews. Setting. Four general practices located in city, suburb, and rural area. Subjects. A total of 100 Danish parents with at least one child under the age of 10 years. Main outcome measures. Number of parents administering paracetamol to feverish children, situations triggering medication of a child, parental views regarding fever and effects of paracetamol, and sources of information on fever treatment. Results. Three in four parents use paracetamol for feverish children, mainly to reduce temperature, to decrease pain, and to help the child fall asleep. Highly educated parents medicate more often than less educated. Parents often fear fever but this does not clearly affect their use of paracetamol. Many parents believe in perceived beneficial effects of paracetamol, such as increased appetite and well-being, better sleep, and prevention of fever seizures. These expectations of paracetamol influence parental use of the drug. Parents’ main source of information on fever and paracetamol is their general practitioner (GP). Conclusions. Danish parents regularly treat feverish children with paracetamol. Although parents contact their GP for advice on fever treatment, paracetamol is sometimes given to children on vague indications. Clearer information for parents on when to give paracetamol as fever treatment may help regulate its use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]