Smyth, Wendy, Kruze, Rose, Al Mamun, Abdullah, White, Andrew, and Shields, Linda (2016) Working with families in community services: multidisciplinary perceptions of working with children and their parents. Neonatal, Paediatric and Child Health Nursing, 19 (1). pp. 18-23.

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Abstract

Background: In Australia, family-centred care is well known in community child health. Previous studies show that staff in acute paediatrics feel more positive about working with children than with parents.

Aims: To test perceptions of nurses, doctors and allied health staff in community child health, about working with children and parents.

Methods: Forty-eight staff in community child health in regional Australia completed 'Working with Families' questionnaire.

Findings: Scores (1 lowest - 5 highest): working with children: 4.29 (CI 4.06, 4.51); with parents 3.90 (CI 3.68, 4.12); mean difference -0.39 (CI -0.54, 0.23; p<0.001). No significant relationships occurred between scores and demographics.

Discussion: Community child health staff were more positive about working with children. People work in paediatrics and child health because they like children, but if family-centred care was effectively implemented no such difference would occur. This study used a small sample. Implications for practice: Staff in community child health require support and education about family-centred care. This study needs replication with a larger sample.

Conclusion: Family-centred care is the cornerstone of community child health. However, staff in this small sample, similarly to acute settings, were more positive about working with children than parents, suggesting problems with implementing family-centred care.

Item ID:	44086
Item Type:	Article (Research - C1)
ISSN:	1441-6638
Keywords:	children, family-centered care, parents, community, child health, paediatrics
Date Deposited:	26 Jul 2016 01:08
FoR Codes:	42 HEALTH SCIENCES > 4205 Nursing > 420503 Community and primary care @ 100%
SEO Codes:	92 HEALTH > 9299 Other Health > 929999 Health not elsewhere classified @ 100%
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