Parenting a child with medically diagnosed severe food allergies in New Zealand: The experience of being unsupported in keeping their children healthy and safe

作者：McBride Charissa^*; McBride Henry Karen; Van Wissen Kim

来源：Contemporary Nurse, 2010, 35(1): 77-87.

DOI：10.5172/conu.2010.35.1.077

• food allergy
• anaphylaxis
• parenting
• family
• chronic illness
• qualitative

Aims: To explore parental experiences of caring for a child with medically diagnosed severe food allergies (MDSFA) in New Zealand. Method: This study employed a qualitative methodology, interpretive descriptive analysis, and involved interviews with four parents of children with MDSFA from two different regions in New Zealand. Results: The analysis of the interviews revealed that the experience of parenting a child with MDSFA is an experience of feeling unsupported in the effort to keep the child healthy and safe. Three major themes emerge from this study: the experience of isolation, the burden of accessing resources, and the cost of living with MDSFA. Conclusion: The general lack of support experienced by these families from health care professionals is a significant concern both for primary and tertiary health care providers. Multi-disciplinary support is required for these families, and currently there is a lack of health care professionals with the knowledge to support these families. This research highlights that there is a significant need for both workforce development and further research in the area of MDSFA in New Zealand.

• 出版日期2010-5