Parenting a child with medically diagnosed severe food allergies in New Zealand: The experience of being unsupported in keeping their children healthy and safe
Charissa McBride
Research Co-ordinator Kidz First, Children’s Hospital Counties Manukau District Health Board, New Zealand
Karen McBride-Henry
Clinical Effectiveness Unit, Capital and Coast District Health Board; Graduate School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
Kim Van Wissen
Massey University, Wellington Campus, New Zealand
PP: 077 - 087
Abstract
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.
Keywords
food allergy; anaphylaxis; parenting; family; chronic illness; qualitative
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