Fathers of children with disabilities comment on health services.
OBJECTIVE
A study to investigate the experiences of fathers of children with disabilities generated comments about hospital-based services received around the time of diagnosis.


METHODS
Fifteen fathers were interviewed in-depth using an inductive qualitative methodology. Interview transcripts were subjected to computer-assisted analysis in order to identify patterns, themes and categories.


RESULTS
Analysis of the data produced a dimension identified and labelled by the authors as negative service evaluation. The components of this dimension were related to poor interpersonal skills by medical staff while breaking bad news, and different expectations of physicians of and fathers over the practical implications of diagnosis.


CONCLUSIONS
These results support previous findings and indicate that physicians must take more responsibility for breaking bad news in a way that parents find acceptable.
Clarkson
J E
JE
Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Otago Medical School, Dunedin.
Shelton
E J
EJ
Bray
D A
DA
Ballard
K D
KD
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002662:Child Health Services; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005220:Fathers / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations