| Literature DB >> 35301684 |
Mădălina Radu1, Ramona Moldovan2,3,4, Adriana Băban1.
Abstract
Complex health needs are demanding and often require additional medical, psychological and social support. All those involved (e.g., patients, carers, professionals) face a unique set of challenges and needs, especially in families where the patient is a child or a young person with a lifelong condition. The aim of the study was to explore carers' and young people's needs when living with long term conditions, as well as the views of the healthcare professionals supporting them. Semi-structured interviews with 30 participants (11 professionals, 10 parents, and 9 young people) were conducted. Interviews focused on 3 main areas-(1) medical needs, (2) psychological needs, and (3) communication needs-and were analyzed using thematic analysis. Four main themes emerged: (1) Acceptance takes time refers to the often long and challenging process of adapting to the diagnosis and living with the condition; (2) Close guidance captures the importance of specialised and long term guidance in accessing and managing the complexities of the medical system; (3) Open communication shows the families' need to be collaboratively connected to healthcare providers and other families facing similar difficulties; and (4) Long-term support underlines the importance of long term formal and informal support strategies. The participants' experiences and views have provided us with insight and guidance for developing and implementing personalized and integrated services. This inside perspective is key for future research aimed at better understanding the impact of complex conditions and meaningful ways to support families throughout their journeys.Entities:
Keywords: Carers; Complex needs; Genetic counselling; Needs; Professionals; Young people
Year: 2022 PMID: 35301684 PMCID: PMC9270528 DOI: 10.1007/s12687-022-00586-z
Source DB: PubMed Journal: J Community Genet ISSN: 1868-310X
Participants’ characteristics
| Participant | Age | Gender | Young people’s diagnosis | Profession, years of experience (for professionals) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HP1 (health professional) | 37 | F | NA | Pediatric neurologist, 6 years |
| HP2 | 25 | F | NA | Geneticist, 3 years |
| HP3 | 30 | F | NA | Genetic counsellor, 8 years |
| HP4 | 45 | F | NA | Child Psychologist, 5 years |
| HP5 | 29 | F | NA | Child Psychologist, 5 years |
| HP6 | 28 | F | NA | Genetic counsellor, 4 years |
| HP7 | 47 | M | NA | Geneticist, 28 years |
| HP8 | 39 | F | NA | Genetic counsellor, 8 years |
| HP9 | 32 | F | NA | Child psychiatrist, 6 years |
| HP10 | 45 | F | NA | Nurse, 22 years |
| HP11 | 26 | F | NA | Psychologist from pediatric oncology, 4 years |
| P1 (parent) | 38 | F | Intellectual disability | Personal assistant |
| P2 | 46 | F | Intellectual disability and epilepsy | Personal assistant |
| P3 | 38 | F | Intellectual disability and ADHD | Administrative assistant |
| P4 | 38 | F | Autism spectrum disorder | Unemployed |
| P5 | 43 | F | Jacobsen syndrome | Personal assistant |
| P6 | 43 | F | Down syndrome | Personal assistant |
| P7 | 55 | F | Prader-Willi syndrome | NGO director |
| P8 | 51 | M | Fragile X syndrome | Store manager |
| P9 | 41 | F | Phenylketonuria | NGO manager |
| P10 | 28 | F | Hydrocephaly, cerebral paralysis, and epilepsy | Maternity leave |
| YP1 (Young person) | 35 | F | Spinocerebellar ataxia | Unemployed |
| YP2 | 28 | B | Hemophilia | Volunteer |
| YP3 | 19 | F | Jacobsen syndrome | Unemployed |
| YP4 | 28 | F | Intellectual disability | Unemployed |
| YP5 | 26 | F | Intellectual disability and epilepsy | Unemployed |
| YP6 | 26 | F | Down syndrome | Unemployed |
| YP7 | 33 | F | Prader-Willi syndrome | Unemployed |
| YP8 | 34 | F | Epilepsy and motor dysfunction | Volunteer |
| YP9 | 28 | B | Achondroplasia | Volunteer |
NA not applicable, ADHD attention deficit hyperactivity disorder