title: Rural parent behaviors and expectations when caring for children with acute respiratory infections.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore rural parents' behaviors and expectations regarding acute respiratory infections (ARIs) in children.
  
  
  METHODS
  A random digit dial telephone survey administered to 655 rural adults; 176 answered questions regarding care of their children.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Increasing fluid intake was the action most parents reported "always" taking when caring for a child with an ARI. Parents take their child to see a provider when they "just know" their child will not get better or when the child has discolored phlegm or discharge. Most reported reasons for not taking child to a provider were because the child got better on their own and they knew how to treat their child on their own. When seeing a provider for an ARI, parents considered it very important that the provider listen to the child's symptoms, examine their child for the cause of their symptoms, and provide symptom management advice. Parents expect providers to treat the ARI in one visit and allow for follow-up by phone or e-mail.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nurse practitioners (NPs) in rural communities should be aware of the behaviors and expectations of parents in their practice. Awareness of these potentially unique issues will allow NPs to work with rural patients more effectively.
authors.affiliation: (Associate Professor), Fay W. Whitney School of Nursing, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming (Associate Professor), (Graduate Student), Family and Consumer Sciences, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming.
authors.forename: Ann Marie
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Hart
authors.forename: Kari M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Morgan
authors.forename: Gina M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Casper
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D012424:Rural Population; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents
keywords: Primary care; parenting; rural; upper respiratory infection (URI)