Nerina Scarinci1,2, Ennur Erbasi1,2, Emily Moore1, Teresa Y C Ching2,3, Vivienne Marnane3. 1. a School of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland , St Lucia , Australia. 2. b The HEARing CRC , Melbourne , Australia , and. 3. c National Acoustic Laboratories , Sydney , Australia.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the perspectives of caregivers regarding the information and support they received following diagnosis of their child's hearing loss. DESIGN: A mixed methods explanatory sequential design was conducted. STUDY SAMPLE: A total of 445 caregivers of children completed a written survey, and five parents participated in qualitative in-depth interviews. RESULTS: The most common sources of information for caregivers were discussion with an audiologist, written information, and discussion with a medical professional. Approximately 85% of caregivers reported they were satisfied with the personal/emotional support and information received from service providers. Additional comments from 91 caregivers indicated that 11% experienced a breakdown in information transfer with health professionals. Interviews conducted with five parents from three families revealed two themes which described the diagnostic period as a difficult and emotional experience for parents: (1) support and information provided during diagnosis: what happens first? and (2) accessing early intervention services following a diagnosis of hearing loss: navigating the maze. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study give insight into the perspectives of caregivers who have a child diagnosed with hearing loss. The importance of providing timely information and personal/emotional support to caregivers cannot be underestimated.
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the perspectives of caregivers regarding the information and support they received following diagnosis of their child's hearing loss. DESIGN: A mixed methods explanatory sequential design was conducted. STUDY SAMPLE: A total of 445 caregivers of children completed a written survey, and five parents participated in qualitative in-depth interviews. RESULTS: The most common sources of information for caregivers were discussion with an audiologist, written information, and discussion with a medical professional. Approximately 85% of caregivers reported they were satisfied with the personal/emotional support and information received from service providers. Additional comments from 91 caregivers indicated that 11% experienced a breakdown in information transfer with health professionals. Interviews conducted with five parents from three families revealed two themes which described the diagnostic period as a difficult and emotional experience for parents: (1) support and information provided during diagnosis: what happens first? and (2) accessing early intervention services following a diagnosis of hearing loss: navigating the maze. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study give insight into the perspectives of caregivers who have a child diagnosed with hearing loss. The importance of providing timely information and personal/emotional support to caregivers cannot be underestimated.
Authors: S A Russ; A A Kuo; Z Poulakis; M Barker; F Rickards; K Saunders; F C Jarman; M Wake; F Oberklaid Journal: Arch Dis Child Date: 2004-04 Impact factor: 3.791