Innocent murmurs: parental viewpoint, what are the most common misconceptions and how to avoid them.
The aim of this study was to investigate the parental reaction after they have been informed that their child has a heart murmur. This study also explored whether their reaction was influenced by the fact that the heart murmur is innocent, which actually means that the child is healthy. One hundred parents participated in this cross-sectional study. According to the statistical results, minor parent concern was notable after cardiologist's examination and consulting. Whereas before the cardiologist's examination 98% of parents were concerned about their child's health, later, less than half of them, or to be exact, only 38% of them, were still concerned. Before the questionnaire was filled, according to gender distribution, males were less concerned than females. Regarding the number of children, parents having three or more children were less worried before the medical examination. Before the examination, only 17% of parents were completely confident that their child had no heart complaint, and after a month 60% of parents had the same opinion. After cardiologist's examination and educational consulting, parental concern dropped significantly, which points to an obligatory need to thoroughly familiarize parents with their child's health condition.
Simunović
Nedjeljka
N
Clinic for Pediatrics, University Hospital Mostar, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina. n_simunov@yahoo.com
Roncević
Zeljko
Z
D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006337:Heart Murmurs / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010819:Physician's Role