title: Impact of children's influenza-like illnesses on parental quality of life: a qualitative study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Influenza and influenza-like illness (ILI) in otherwise healthy children has considerable impact on their parents. This study explored the impact of children's ILI on parental quality of life (QoL).
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted qualitative in-depth interviews with parents of children aged 6 months-3 years with severe ILI. Children from childcare centres in Sydney, Australia were followed through the 2010 influenza season. Questions covered child's symptoms, parents' experiences including medical care visits, impact on the family's daily routine, and emotional, physical and social well-being. Interviews were analysed using a modified grounded theory approach.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We conducted 21 interviews with 23 parents. Five main themes emerged: 'sudden changes in daily life', 'emotional impact', 'social isolation and relationship changes', 'importance of family and friend support' and 'interaction with the medical system'. Perceived practical and emotional support from family and/or friends and consultations with the doctor appeared to moderate the impact.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Severe ILI in children has a considerable impact on their parents' QoL, through disruptions of normal life routine, social isolation and stress in coping with the sick child. These impacts should be considered when introducing flexible workplace policies designed to minimise the impact on parental QoL. Prevention strategies such as vaccinating children against influenza may help alleviate this impact at a population level.
authors.affiliation: National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance, Kids Research Institute, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. maria.chow@health.nsw.gov.au
authors.forename: Maria Yui Kwan
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Chow
authors.forename: Angela M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Morrow
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Booy
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Leask
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007251:Influenza, Human; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life; D012934:Social Isolation
keywords: child; influenza-like illness; interview; parent; qualitative; quality of life