title: Mothers of children with special health care needs: documenting the experience of their children's care in the school setting.
abstract: The numbers of children with special health care needs (CSHCN) have increased in schools. This study was conducted to document mothers' experiences of the care their CSHCN receive across health care and educational settings. Data were collected during standardized, open-ended, one-on-one interviews with 10 mothers of CSHCN in urban, suburban, and rural areas in a Midwestern state. Interviews were transcribed and content analysis revealed five themes: (a) communication, (b) educational system issues, (c) mother as a caregiver and expert, (d) navigating the system, and (e) strategies and coping. Describing and understanding experiences of mothers of CSHCN is important to developing appropriate supportive interventions.
authors.affiliation: Clinical and Translational Research KL2 Scholar, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Nursing, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.
authors.forename: Lori S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Anderson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D019988:Children with Disabilities; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015146:Midwestern United States; D009035:Mothers; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D012572:School Health Services; D012944:Social Support