Challenges of decision making for families of children with single or multiple chronic conditions.
When a child is diagnosed with a chronic illness, families begin a constant cycle of decision making. Many of these decisions surround health care treatment. These families can be divided into two groups: those with children newly diagnosed with a chronic condition and those with children who have a preexisting illness. If a new diagnosis represents a family's entrance into the medical community, the decision-making process can be confusing and difficult. For the family of a child with a preexisting condition, making repeated decisions about treatments can be additionally stressful and anxiety provoking because of their medical history. How do families with a child with a preexisting medical condition differ in their decision making? What factors affect their decisions? The nurse practitioner has a critical role interacting with both types of families and guiding the decision-making process. Therefore, understanding the family and their previous experience is crucial to determine how nurse practitioners can best tailor interventions to promote effective decision making.
Gruccio
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Division of Endocrinology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 34th St and Civic Center Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19104-1000, USA.
Steinkrauss
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D000293:Adolescent; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000628:therapy*; D003657:Decision Making; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009722:Nurse Practitioners; D011368:Professional-Family Relations