The Management of Children with Chronic Health Problems at School from the Perspective of Parents

<b>Background:</b> The prevalence of chronic health problems in childhood, such as food and respiratory allergies, as well as endocrine and skin disorders, has increased globally. Parents and children experience difficulties in managing their illness that reduce their quality of life and...

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Main Authors: María del Pilar Morales Ruíz, Isabel María Fernández-Medina, Antonio Javier Alias-Castillo, María Isabel Ventura-Miranda, María del Mar Jiménez-Lasserrotte, María Dolores Ruíz-Fernández
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Nursing Reports
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2039-4403/15/2/57
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author María del Pilar Morales Ruíz
Isabel María Fernández-Medina
Antonio Javier Alias-Castillo
María Isabel Ventura-Miranda
María del Mar Jiménez-Lasserrotte
María Dolores Ruíz-Fernández
author_facet María del Pilar Morales Ruíz
Isabel María Fernández-Medina
Antonio Javier Alias-Castillo
María Isabel Ventura-Miranda
María del Mar Jiménez-Lasserrotte
María Dolores Ruíz-Fernández
author_sort María del Pilar Morales Ruíz
collection DOAJ
description <b>Background:</b> The prevalence of chronic health problems in childhood, such as food and respiratory allergies, as well as endocrine and skin disorders, has increased globally. Parents and children experience difficulties in managing their illness that reduce their quality of life and increase the presence of negative feelings such as fear or anxiety during school hours. <b>Objectives</b>: The aim of this study was to describe and understand the parents’ experiences of the management of children with chronic health problems during school hours. <b>Methods</b>: A qualitative descriptive study design was used. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 parents (1 male and 16 female) who have children with a chronic health problem between September 2022 and June 2023. The data were analyzed with the help of a qualitative data analysis software. The COREQ checklist was used to develop the study. <b>Results</b>: Two categories and four subcategories emerged from the data analysis: (1) Parents’ Perceptions, with the subcategories 1.1., The School Nurse, and 1.2., Educational Environment; and (2) Chronic Pediatric Health Problems, with the subcategories 2.1., Emotional Impact, and 2.2., Lack of Resources. <b>Conclusions</b>: Children with chronic health problems are unprotected during school hours due to the absence of a school nurse. Parents and teachers have to cope with their care without the necessary knowledge, which makes it difficult to manage children with chronic health problems in the school environment.
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spelling doaj-art-22b5350b4263414bb3b5b18c00aabf6e2025-08-20T02:03:26ZengMDPI AGNursing Reports2039-439X2039-44032025-02-011525710.3390/nursrep15020057The Management of Children with Chronic Health Problems at School from the Perspective of ParentsMaría del Pilar Morales Ruíz0Isabel María Fernández-Medina1Antonio Javier Alias-Castillo2María Isabel Ventura-Miranda3María del Mar Jiménez-Lasserrotte4María Dolores Ruíz-Fernández5Melilla Regional Hospital, 52005 Melilla, SpainDepartment of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Almería, 04120 Almería, SpainDepartment of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Almería, 04120 Almería, SpainDepartment of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Almería, 04120 Almería, SpainDepartment of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Almería, 04120 Almería, SpainDepartment of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Almería, 04120 Almería, Spain<b>Background:</b> The prevalence of chronic health problems in childhood, such as food and respiratory allergies, as well as endocrine and skin disorders, has increased globally. Parents and children experience difficulties in managing their illness that reduce their quality of life and increase the presence of negative feelings such as fear or anxiety during school hours. <b>Objectives</b>: The aim of this study was to describe and understand the parents’ experiences of the management of children with chronic health problems during school hours. <b>Methods</b>: A qualitative descriptive study design was used. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 parents (1 male and 16 female) who have children with a chronic health problem between September 2022 and June 2023. The data were analyzed with the help of a qualitative data analysis software. The COREQ checklist was used to develop the study. <b>Results</b>: Two categories and four subcategories emerged from the data analysis: (1) Parents’ Perceptions, with the subcategories 1.1., The School Nurse, and 1.2., Educational Environment; and (2) Chronic Pediatric Health Problems, with the subcategories 2.1., Emotional Impact, and 2.2., Lack of Resources. <b>Conclusions</b>: Children with chronic health problems are unprotected during school hours due to the absence of a school nurse. Parents and teachers have to cope with their care without the necessary knowledge, which makes it difficult to manage children with chronic health problems in the school environment.https://www.mdpi.com/2039-4403/15/2/57childrenchronic health problemsschool nursesparents’ experiencesqualitative study
spellingShingle María del Pilar Morales Ruíz
Isabel María Fernández-Medina
Antonio Javier Alias-Castillo
María Isabel Ventura-Miranda
María del Mar Jiménez-Lasserrotte
María Dolores Ruíz-Fernández
The Management of Children with Chronic Health Problems at School from the Perspective of Parents
Nursing Reports
children
chronic health problems
school nurses
parents’ experiences
qualitative study
title The Management of Children with Chronic Health Problems at School from the Perspective of Parents
title_full The Management of Children with Chronic Health Problems at School from the Perspective of Parents
title_fullStr The Management of Children with Chronic Health Problems at School from the Perspective of Parents
title_full_unstemmed The Management of Children with Chronic Health Problems at School from the Perspective of Parents
title_short The Management of Children with Chronic Health Problems at School from the Perspective of Parents
title_sort management of children with chronic health problems at school from the perspective of parents
topic children
chronic health problems
school nurses
parents’ experiences
qualitative study
url https://www.mdpi.com/2039-4403/15/2/57
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