Christie Cabral1, Jenny Ingram2, Alastair D Hay3, Jeremy Horwood3. 1. Centre for Academic Primary Care, NIHR School of Primary Care Research, School of Social & Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK. Electronic address: Christie.cabral@bristol.ac.uk. 2. Centre for Child and Adolescent Health, School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK. 3. Centre for Academic Primary Care, NIHR School of Primary Care Research, School of Social & Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To investigate parents' experiences and views of clinician communication during primary care consultations for respiratory tract infections (RTIs) in children under 12. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews with 30 parents who had recently consulted for RTI in their child. Purposive sampling was used to interview parents from a range of socio-economic areas. RESULTS: Parents critically assess the credibility of primary care clinician diagnosis and treatment recommendations based on their perception of the medical evaluation and how well their concerns and expectations have been addressed. A "viral" diagnosis could be perceived as trivializing, particularly when contradicting the parent's perception of severity. Parents expected advice on symptomatic treatment and felt frustrated by 'no treatment' recommendations. Parents commonly reported safety netting advice which was too vague to be useful. CONCLUSION: Parents' perception of the credibility of the diagnosis and treatment recommendations is influenced both by their expectations and the effectiveness of clinician communication. Opportunities are being missed to inform parents about symptomatic care and when to consult for children with RTIs. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Clinicians should tailor diagnostic explanations to parental expectations and concerns and address the symptoms of significance to parents. Clinicians should provide advice about symptom relief and more precise safety netting advice. Crown
OBJECTIVE: To investigate parents' experiences and views of clinician communication during primary care consultations for respiratory tract infections (RTIs) in children under 12. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews with 30 parents who had recently consulted for RTI in their child. Purposive sampling was used to interview parents from a range of socio-economic areas. RESULTS: Parents critically assess the credibility of primary care clinician diagnosis and treatment recommendations based on their perception of the medical evaluation and how well their concerns and expectations have been addressed. A "viral" diagnosis could be perceived as trivializing, particularly when contradicting the parent's perception of severity. Parents expected advice on symptomatic treatment and felt frustrated by 'no treatment' recommendations. Parents commonly reported safety netting advice which was too vague to be useful. CONCLUSION: Parents' perception of the credibility of the diagnosis and treatment recommendations is influenced both by their expectations and the effectiveness of clinician communication. Opportunities are being missed to inform parents about symptomatic care and when to consult for children with RTIs. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Clinicians should tailor diagnostic explanations to parental expectations and concerns and address the symptoms of significance to parents. Clinicians should provide advice about symptom relief and more precise safety netting advice. Crown
Authors: Rita Mangione-Smith; Chuan Zhou; Jeffrey D Robinson; James A Taylor; Marc N Elliott; John Heritage Journal: Ann Fam Med Date: 2015 May-Jun Impact factor: 5.166
Authors: Annegret Schneider; Christie Cabral; Natalie Herd; Alastair Hay; Joanna May Kesten; Emma Anderson; Isabel Lane; Charles Beck; Susan Michie Journal: Ann Fam Med Date: 2019-05 Impact factor: 5.166