Mary V Greiner1, Jennifer Ross2, Courtney M Brown3, Sarah J Beal3, Susan N Sherman2. 1. Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA mary.greiner@cchmc.org. 2. University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA. 3. Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To investigate, using qualitative methodology, foster caregivers' perspectives related to the medical needs of children placed in their care. STUDY DESIGN: Fifteen foster caregivers were individually interviewed using a semistructured open-ended question guide. Data were coded, and the analysis was conducted in an inductive manner, allowing themes to emerge from the interviews. RESULTS: The following 4 themes were identified: (1) the fragmented histories provided to foster caregivers and difficulty in obtaining information; (2) the unique medical complications that children in foster care experience; (3) the difference between "doing what is expected" and becoming a proactive foster caregiver; and (4) the support needs of foster caregivers. CONCLUSIONS: Foster caregivers receive insufficient information despite the evidence that these children are likely to have complex needs. It is, therefore, necessary for the pediatrician to recognize existing medical problems, identify new medical problems, educate foster caregivers, and communicate with the multidisciplinary team.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate, using qualitative methodology, foster caregivers' perspectives related to the medical needs of children placed in their care. STUDY DESIGN: Fifteen foster caregivers were individually interviewed using a semistructured open-ended question guide. Data were coded, and the analysis was conducted in an inductive manner, allowing themes to emerge from the interviews. RESULTS: The following 4 themes were identified: (1) the fragmented histories provided to foster caregivers and difficulty in obtaining information; (2) the unique medical complications that children in foster care experience; (3) the difference between "doing what is expected" and becoming a proactive foster caregiver; and (4) the support needs of foster caregivers. CONCLUSIONS: Foster caregivers receive insufficient information despite the evidence that these children are likely to have complex needs. It is, therefore, necessary for the pediatrician to recognize existing medical problems, identify new medical problems, educate foster caregivers, and communicate with the multidisciplinary team.
Authors: Mary V Greiner; Sarah J Beal; Judith W Dexheimer; Parth Divekar; Vikash Patel; Eric S Hall Journal: Pediatrics Date: 2019-08 Impact factor: 7.124
Authors: Judith W Dexheimer; Mary V Greiner; Sarah J Beal; Darius Johnson; Andrea Kachelmeyer; Lisa M Vaughn Journal: J Am Med Inform Assoc Date: 2019-08-01 Impact factor: 4.497
Authors: Jennifer E Lapin; Sarah J Beal; Ryan E Adams; Jennifer Ehrhardt; Ernest Pedapati; Tanya E Froehlich Journal: J Dev Behav Pediatr Date: 2022-04-22 Impact factor: 2.988
Authors: Sarah J Beal; Constance A Mara; Katie Nause; Robert T Ammerman; Rebecca Seltzer; Melissa Jonson-Reid; Mary V Greiner Journal: Acad Pediatr Date: 2021-05-21 Impact factor: 3.107