Australian parents’ use of universal child and family health services: A consumer survey

Rossiter, C; Fowler, C; Hesson, A; Kruske, S; Homer, CSE; Schmied, V

Australian parents’ use of universal child and family health services: A consumer survey

Rossiter, C

Fowler, C

Hesson, A Kruske, S

Homer, CSE

Schmied, V

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Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Health and Social Care in the Community, 2019, 27 (2), pp. 472 - 482
Issue Date:: 2019-03-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Rossiter, C https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3833-3076	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Fowler, C https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7838-8434	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Hesson, A	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Kruske, S https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2317-3954	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Homer, CSE https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7454-3011	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Schmied, V	en_US
dc.date.available	2020-05-25T19:27:09Z
dc.date.issued	2019-03-01	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	Health and Social Care in the Community, 2019, 27 (2), pp. 472 - 482	en_US
dc.identifier.issn	0966-0410	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/134916
dc.description.abstract	© 2018 John Wiley & Sons Ltd This study aimed to explore Australian parents’ use of universally available well-child health services. It used an online survey of 719 parents of children aged from birth to 5 years in all states and territories to examine patterns of service use and consumer preferences. In Australia, several health professional groups provide advice to pregnant women, infants, children, and parents, offering health promotion, developmental screening, parenting support, and referral to specialist health services if required. The survey examined parents’ use of different child and family health providers, and their preferences for support with several common parenting issues. The study indicated that families with young children obtain primary healthcare from a range of service providers, often more than one, depending on children's ages and needs. Parents frequently visit general practitioners for immunisation and medical concerns. They attend dedicated child and family health nurses for parenting advice and well-child checks and prefer them as an information source for many health issues. However, a substantial proportion of parents (44.1%) do not currently visit a child and family health nurse, often because they not only do not perceive a need but also sometimes because these services are unknown, inaccessible, or considered unsuitable. They may seek advice from less qualified sources. There is potential for increased collaboration between child and family health providers to ensure effective resource use and consistency of parenting information and advice. Nursing services may need to address accessibility and appropriateness of care.	en_US
dc.relation.ispartof	Health and Social Care in the Community	en_US
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1111/hsc.12667	en_US
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject.classification	Nursing	en_US
dc.title	Australian parents’ use of universal child and family health services: A consumer survey	en_US
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	2	en_US
utslib.citation.volume	27	en_US
utslib.for	1117 Public Health and Health Services	en_US
utslib.for	1607 Social Work	en_US
pubs.embargo.period	Not known	en_US
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health/Nursing
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - CHSP - Health Services and Practice
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - WHO CC
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
pubs.issue	2	en_US
pubs.publication-status	Published	en_US
pubs.volume	27	en_US

Abstract:

© 2018 John Wiley & Sons Ltd This study aimed to explore Australian parents’ use of universally available well-child health services. It used an online survey of 719 parents of children aged from birth to 5 years in all states and territories to examine patterns of service use and consumer preferences. In Australia, several health professional groups provide advice to pregnant women, infants, children, and parents, offering health promotion, developmental screening, parenting support, and referral to specialist health services if required. The survey examined parents’ use of different child and family health providers, and their preferences for support with several common parenting issues. The study indicated that families with young children obtain primary healthcare from a range of service providers, often more than one, depending on children's ages and needs. Parents frequently visit general practitioners for immunisation and medical concerns. They attend dedicated child and family health nurses for parenting advice and well-child checks and prefer them as an information source for many health issues. However, a substantial proportion of parents (44.1%) do not currently visit a child and family health nurse, often because they not only do not perceive a need but also sometimes because these services are unknown, inaccessible, or considered unsuitable. They may seek advice from less qualified sources. There is potential for increased collaboration between child and family health providers to ensure effective resource use and consistency of parenting information and advice. Nursing services may need to address accessibility and appropriateness of care.

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:

http://hdl.handle.net/10453/134916