Parent opinions of community nurse-led support and counselling services for children and families

Abstract

There has been widespread concern in New Zealand over the poor health status of its children and young people. Compared with other Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries, New Zealand children rate poorly. Whilst physical illness among children and young people is a cause for concern, there is also an increased prevalence of psychosocial problems amongst this population (Ministry of Health, 1998a). It appears that nurses could assist in addressing the psychosocial needs of New Zealand's children but there is a deficit in information that identifies the exact nature of the nursing input required. This study examined parents' opinions of potential nurse-led community child health services offering support, advice and counselling to children and their families with health concerns. A simple descriptive research design was used to ascertain both quantitative and qualitative information using a survey. One hundred and thirty eight responses were collected via questionnaire from a convenience sample of school and pre-school families in the community of Southland, New Zealand. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics while qualitative data were analysed using qualitative content analysis to identify themes and patterns in the responses. The concept of a nursing service offering support, advice and counselling was supported by 90 percent of respondents. Psychosocial health concerns were identified as being more prevalent than physical concerns by respondents whose children had a health issue or disability (47%) and fifty six percent of respondents believed that current health services providing emotional support were inadequate. Anger management, behavioural problems and specific health issues were the areas identified as requiring information, advice and counselling support. Families required this nursing assistance to be accessed easily when required. The findings suggest that such nursing practice should be integrated with existing services and could service families' needs best by extending from general practices or by being school linked. Implications from this study suggest that all child health workers and providers place a greater focus on children's psychosocial health issues and in particular Registered Nurses play a role in providing the necessary care and assistance for children and their families in this domain of health. The recommendations from this research are that health care providers explore intersectoral approaches to a pyramid of family based services, that school-based and General Practice based psychosocial nursing services are instigated or expanded, and that professional and educational support is implemented to nurture and support this form of nursing practice. Further research is needed to examine the impact of psychosocial nursing and counselling influencing children and families wellbeing, particularly that which considers such a role within the New Zealand context. However, nursing support that assists children and families to cope with their own health issues could provide long term solutions that significantly contribute to the health of individuals, families and communities.