Perceptions of quality health care among parents of children with bleeding disorders.
BACKGROUND
This study examined how parents of children with bleeding disorders defined quality health care, their expectations for care at the clinic, and indicators of quality health care important to them.


METHODS
Parents (N = 54) answered two open-ended questions and completed the Quality Health Care Questionnaire, which examined the importance of 33 indicators of quality care.


RESULTS
The most important indicators of quality care to parents were being included in decisions about their child's care (M = 4.98), being cared for by nurses who are competent and up-to-date (M = 4.94), and being cared for by doctors who are competent and up-to-date (M = 4.94).


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study are consistent with earlier research involving other groups of consumers. Parents view quality care as being included in decisions about their child's care and having competent and caring providers with whom they can communicate. In contrast to earlier research, however, waiting time was the least important indicator of quality care.
Cygan
Mary Louise
ML
Children's Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, USA. MLLC@aol.com
Oermann
Marilyn H
MH
Templin
Thomas
T
D001778:Blood Coagulation Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D006801:Humans; D009732:Nursing Care / Q000592:standards; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D019984:Quality Indicators, Health Care; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires