Parenting a child with medically diagnosed severe food allergies in New Zealand: the experience of being unsupported in keeping their children healthy and safe.
OBJECTIVE
To explore parental experiences of caring for a child with medically diagnosed severe food allergies (MDSFA) in New Zealand.


METHODS
This study employed a qualitative methodology, interpretive descriptive analysis, and involved interviews with four parents of children with MDSFA from two different regions in New Zealand.


RESULTS
The analysis of the interviews revealed that the experience of parenting a child with MDSFA is an experience of feeling unsupported in the effort to keep the child healthy and safe. Three major themes emerge from this study: the experience of isolation, the burden of accessing resources, and the cost of living with MDSFA.


CONCLUSIONS
The general lack of support experienced by these families from health care professionals is a significant concern both for primary and tertiary health care providers. Multi-disciplinary support is required for these families, and currently there is a lack of health care professionals with the knowledge to support these families. This research highlights that there is a significant need for both workforce development and further research in the area of MDSFA in New Zealand.
McBride
Charissa
C
Kidz First Children's Hospital, Counties Manukau District Health Board, Manukau, New Zealand.
McBride-Henry
Karen
K
van Wissen
Kim
K
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002648:Child; D002662:Child Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017281:Cost of Illness; D005260:Female; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009520:New Zealand; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D016487:Parenting / Q000523:psychology*; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D010348:Patient Care Team; D036301:Qualitative Research; D017751:Safety Management; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires