The influence of perceived accessibility and expertise of healthcare professionals, and service austerity, on mothers' decision-making.

Bosley, H; Appleton, JV; Henshall, C; Jackson, D

The influence of perceived accessibility and expertise of healthcare professionals, and service austerity, on mothers' decision-making.

Bosley, H Appleton, JV Henshall, C Jackson, D

Permalink

Publisher:: Wiley
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Health and Social Care in the Community, 2021, 29, (2), pp. 526-534
Issue Date:: 2021-03-01

Open Access

Copyright Clearance Process

Recently Added
In Progress
Open Access

This item is open access.

Adobe PDF

Download full textAdobe PDF (447.78 kB)

View on publisher's site

View statistics

Full metadata record

Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Bosley, H
dc.contributor.author	Appleton, JV
dc.contributor.author	Henshall, C
dc.contributor.author	Jackson, D https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5252-5325
dc.date.accessioned	2021-11-18T05:18:29Z
dc.date.available	2020-07-07
dc.date.available	2021-11-18T05:18:29Z
dc.date.issued	2021-03-01
dc.identifier.citation	Health and Social Care in the Community, 2021, 29, (2), pp. 526-534
dc.identifier.issn	0966-0410
dc.identifier.issn	1365-2524
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/151710
dc.description.abstract	Mothers often make key decisions regarding their children's health. They hold core beliefs and attitudes towards healthcare providers, relying on healthcare services to provide support, advice and reassurance. It is crucial that health providers form authentic relationships with families with young children, in order to effectively provide healthcare, support and information as needed. In this paper, we explore mothers' views on the accessibility and expertise of healthcare professionals caring for their child's health. A case study, using a geographic post code as the case boundary was used. Focus groups and semi-structured interviews with mothers of children aged under five years old were conducted. Participants (n = 33) were recruited from local playgroups and six focus groups (19 participants) and 14 individual interviews were conducted. Qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis. General Practice (including general practitioners [GPs] and practice nurses) was considered to be the preferred option when seeking timely healthcare advice and information. Participant mothers were open to accessing professional advice concerning their child's health, from a range of health professionals and understood the role and potential contribution of various health professionals. However, some factors, influenced mothers' decision-making. These were captured in three themes: maternal perceptions of GPs as accessible experts; practice nurses as approachable and reassuring sources of advice; and difficulty in accessing health visiting services primarily due to service funding cuts. Further investment in primary care services, including expansion of the practice nurse role and an increase in health visiting service provision, may help to provide sufficient support for mothers seeking healthcare advice. In addition, healthcare service strategies, which engage with mothers and ensure nurses are recognised as knowledgeable, accessible, supportive and a suitable alternative to GPs, would be beneficial.
dc.format	Print-Electronic
dc.language	eng
dc.publisher	Wiley
dc.relation.ispartof	Health and Social Care in the Community
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1111/hsc.13115
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject	1117 Public Health and Health Services, 1607 Social Work
dc.subject.classification	Nursing
dc.subject.mesh	Humans
dc.subject.mesh	Focus Groups
dc.subject.mesh	Mothers
dc.subject.mesh	Qualitative Research
dc.subject.mesh	Child
dc.subject.mesh	Child, Preschool
dc.subject.mesh	Health Personnel
dc.subject.mesh	Delivery of Health Care
dc.subject.mesh	Female
dc.subject.mesh	Child
dc.subject.mesh	Child, Preschool
dc.subject.mesh	Delivery of Health Care
dc.subject.mesh	Female
dc.subject.mesh	Focus Groups
dc.subject.mesh	Health Personnel
dc.subject.mesh	Humans
dc.subject.mesh	Mothers
dc.subject.mesh	Qualitative Research
dc.title	The influence of perceived accessibility and expertise of healthcare professionals, and service austerity, on mothers' decision-making.
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	29
utslib.location.activity	England
utslib.for	1117 Public Health and Health Services
utslib.for	1607 Social Work
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
pubs.consider-herdc	false
dc.date.updated	2021-11-18T05:18:28Z
pubs.issue	2
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	29
utslib.citation.issue	2

Abstract:

Mothers often make key decisions regarding their children's health. They hold core beliefs and attitudes towards healthcare providers, relying on healthcare services to provide support, advice and reassurance. It is crucial that health providers form authentic relationships with families with young children, in order to effectively provide healthcare, support and information as needed. In this paper, we explore mothers' views on the accessibility and expertise of healthcare professionals caring for their child's health. A case study, using a geographic post code as the case boundary was used. Focus groups and semi-structured interviews with mothers of children aged under five years old were conducted. Participants (n = 33) were recruited from local playgroups and six focus groups (19 participants) and 14 individual interviews were conducted. Qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis. General Practice (including general practitioners [GPs] and practice nurses) was considered to be the preferred option when seeking timely healthcare advice and information. Participant mothers were open to accessing professional advice concerning their child's health, from a range of health professionals and understood the role and potential contribution of various health professionals. However, some factors, influenced mothers' decision-making. These were captured in three themes: maternal perceptions of GPs as accessible experts; practice nurses as approachable and reassuring sources of advice; and difficulty in accessing health visiting services primarily due to service funding cuts. Further investment in primary care services, including expansion of the practice nurse role and an increase in health visiting service provision, may help to provide sufficient support for mothers seeking healthcare advice. In addition, healthcare service strategies, which engage with mothers and ensure nurses are recognised as knowledgeable, accessible, supportive and a suitable alternative to GPs, would be beneficial.

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

http://hdl.handle.net/10453/151710