title: Foster Caregivers' Perspectives on the Medical Challenges of Children Placed in Their Care: Implications for Pediatricians Caring for Children in Foster Care.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate, using qualitative methodology, foster caregivers' perspectives related to the medical needs of children placed in their care.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifteen foster caregivers were individually interviewed using a semistructured open-ended question guide. Data were coded, and the analysis was conducted in an inductive manner, allowing themes to emerge from the interviews.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The following 4 themes were identified: (1) the fragmented histories provided to foster caregivers and difficulty in obtaining information; (2) the unique medical complications that children in foster care experience; (3) the difference between "doing what is expected" and becoming a proactive foster caregiver; and (4) the support needs of foster caregivers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Foster caregivers receive insufficient information despite the evidence that these children are likely to have complex needs. It is, therefore, necessary for the pediatrician to recognize existing medical problems, identify new medical problems, educate foster caregivers, and communicate with the multidisciplinary team.
authors.affiliation: Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA mary.greiner@cchmc.org.
authors.forename: Mary V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Greiner
authors.affiliation: University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ross
authors.affiliation: Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
authors.forename: Courtney M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.affiliation: Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
authors.forename: Sarah J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Beal
authors.affiliation: University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
authors.forename: Susan N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Sherman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005581:Foster Home Care / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010372:Pediatrics; D010820:Physicians; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014505:Urban Population
keywords: Children’s Services; child abuse; child welfare; foster care; foster caregiver; foster parent; maltreatment; neglect