The views of parents concerning the planning of services for rehabilitation of families of children with congenital cardiac disease.
OBJECTIVE
Although much previous research has focused on the medical aspects of congenital cardiac disease, there is a growing body of research which suggests that families may need help and support with the wider issues associated with the medical condition. We have previously ascertained from young people with congenital cardiac disease their views on this subject. The purpose of this study was to obtain the views of their parents about the need for, and shape of, services for rehabilitation.


METHODS
This was a qualitative study using semi-structured interviews. We interviewed 17 parents in their own home. Interviews were tape-recorded and transcribed.


RESULTS
Parents would welcome more help and support from health professionals to enable them to manage more effectively the condition with their children. Particular areas of concern relate to the information they receive about the condition; communication between themselves and health professionals; establishing safe levels of activity; and managing the condition at school.


CONCLUSIONS
This is a small study of the experiences and views of parents, which provides some important information on ways in which health professionals could address the current lack of services for rehabilitation.
Kendall
Lynne
L
Paediatric Cardiac Department, Yorkshire Heart Centre, Leeds General Infirmary, Leeds, UK. lynne.kendall@leedsth.nhs.uk
Sloper
Patricia
P
Lewin
Robert J P
RJ
Parsons
Jonathan M
JM
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D019988:Children with Disabilities; D005260:Female; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D011788:Quality of Life; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom