Elizabeth Mm Bernthal1, J Lathlean2, M Gobbi2, R G Simpson3. 1. Royal Centre for Defence Medicine (Research and Academic), Birmingham, W Midlands, UK. 2. Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, Hampshire, UK. 3. Dean, Defence Medical Services, Defence Healthcare Education and Training, Lichfield, UK.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Little empirical evidence exists to identify the impact that a partner's absence or presence has on the mother's decision-making and her consequential help-seeking behaviour when her child is unwell. METHODS: This study used a qualitative design in three phases using focus groups and interviews to explore Army mothers' help-seeking behaviour as a lone parent when their child was unwell during the out-of-hours period. Thirty-one parents from a British Army garrison were interviewed. RESULTS: The findings demonstrated that Army life created a combination of stressors for Army mothers, which altered their help-seeking behaviour when their child was unwell. When their partner was available, mothers contacted health services as a last resort, once all other avenues had been exhausted. However, in contrast, in their partners' absence, they were contacted as a first resort. CONCLUSION: An algorithm was generated from the findings, which illustrates the importance of ascertaining whether the mother is alone at the time of the consultation. Increased emotional vulnerability intensified the need for reassurance and affected a mother's decision-making ability. Primary healthcare staff should ascertain whether mothers are currently lone parents at an early stage of their assessment, as this may influence the entire consultation. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/
INTRODUCTION: Little empirical evidence exists to identify the impact that a partner's absence or presence has on the mother's decision-making and her consequential help-seeking behaviour when her child is unwell. METHODS: This study used a qualitative design in three phases using focus groups and interviews to explore Army mothers' help-seeking behaviour as a lone parent when their child was unwell during the out-of-hours period. Thirty-one parents from a British Army garrison were interviewed. RESULTS: The findings demonstrated that Army life created a combination of stressors for Army mothers, which altered their help-seeking behaviour when their child was unwell. When their partner was available, mothers contacted health services as a last resort, once all other avenues had been exhausted. However, in contrast, in their partners' absence, they were contacted as a first resort. CONCLUSION: An algorithm was generated from the findings, which illustrates the importance of ascertaining whether the mother is alone at the time of the consultation. Increased emotional vulnerability intensified the need for reassurance and affected a mother's decision-making ability. Primary healthcare staff should ascertain whether mothers are currently lone parents at an early stage of their assessment, as this may influence the entire consultation. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/
Entities:
Keywords:
MEDICAL EDUCATION & TRAINING; PRIMARY CARE; QUALITATIVE RESEARCH
Authors: E Nicholson; T McDonnell; A De Brún; M Barrett; G Bury; C Collins; C Hensey; E McAuliffe Journal: BMC Health Serv Res Date: 2020-07-17 Impact factor: 2.655