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Golsäter M, Randell E, Engström M, Lucas S. Parents' perceptions of the safe environment for every kid (SEEK) model in the Swedish child health services. BMC Pediatr 2024; 24:581. [PMID: 39272002 PMCID: PMC11401304 DOI: 10.1186/s12887-024-05064-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2024] [Indexed: 09/15/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Safe Environment for Every Kid (SEEK) model was developed to address psychosocial risk factors (financial worries, depressive symptoms, major parental stress, alcohol misuse and intimate partner violence) in the pediatric primary care setting but has not been evaluated from the parents' perspective. To further investigate the usefulness of SEEK, it is important to explore how parents perceive the model. OBJECTIVE The aim of the present study was to explore parents' perceptions of the SEEK model as a part of regular health visits in the Child Health Services in Sweden. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING Eighteen parents (13 women and five men) in two Swedish counties participated in the study. METHODS Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted, and the resulting data were analyzed using reflective thematic analysis. RESULTS Three themes were identified: Acceptance and understanding of the SEEK model in the child health services, The questionnaire as a bridge to a dialogue, and Feeling trust in the system and the child health nurse's professional competence. Further, an overarching theme was created that encompassed a core meaning of all three themes; SEEK provides a process-oriented framework to receive support in parenting with a focus on child health. CONCLUSIONS The study showed that parents express both acceptance and understanding of the SEEK model and they perceive that the model provides an avenue for repeated dialogues about the family's situation during the child's upbringing and an opportunity to access support if needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Golsäter
- Child Research Group, School of Health and Welfare, Jönköping University, Child Health Service and Futurum - Academy for Health and Care, Region Jönköping County, Jönköping, Jönköping, Sweden
| | - Eva Randell
- Department of Social work, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Maria Engström
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Steven Lucas
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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Midtsund AD, Henriksen L, Lukasse M, Valla L. Detecting and preventing child maltreatment in primary care and PHNs' role-a cross-sectional study. BMC PRIMARY CARE 2024; 25:218. [PMID: 38879472 PMCID: PMC11179210 DOI: 10.1186/s12875-024-02445-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Child maltreatment is a global problem that puts children at risk of mental illness, substance abuse, and premature death. Interdisciplinary collaboration is important in preventing and detecting child maltreatment. In Norway, children undergo universal preventive health assessments and receive complimentary follow-up care from specialized public health nurses in child and family health clinics. These nurses conduct regular check-ups and home visits to monitor children for signs of maltreatment. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study is to describe how public health nurses at child and family health clinics follow the National Clinical Guidelines to prevent and detect child maltreatment, with a particular focus on clinical procedures and interdisciplinary collaboration. Furthermore, we aim to determine factors that are associated with identification of child maltreatment. DESIGN A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among public health nurses working in primary care between October 24th and December 31st, 2022. Public health nurses who worked with children aged 0-5 years and had consultations with families were eligible to participate, resulting in 554 responses. The study employed descriptive analysis, including frequency, percentage and mean, as well as a two-step logistic regression analysis. The study was approved by the relevant authority, and informed consent was obtained through questionnaire completion. RESULTS The public health nurses in this study displayed strong adherence to the guidelines and utilized various comprehensive assessment procedures to monitor child well-being, growth, and development. However, there was limited and infrequent collaboration with other professionals, such as child protection services, general practitioners, and hospitals. Most public health nurses reported occasional suspicion of child maltreatment, with age and years of experience in child and family clinics influencing these suspicions. Older public health nurses were more likely to suspect physical violence, while those with less than two years of experience reported less experience in suspecting maltreatment. Additional education increased the probability of suspecting sexual violence. CONCLUSIONS This study provides insights into the practices of public health nurses in Norway regarding the detection and prevention of child maltreatment in child and family clinics. While adherence to guidelines is strong, suspicion of maltreatment is relatively rare. Collaboration across agencies is crucial in addressing child maltreatment. Age and experience may influence the detection of maltreatment. Improved collaboration, targeted guidelines, and ongoing professional development are needed to enhance child protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Astrid Durdei Midtsund
- Department of Nursing and Health Promotion, Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway.
- Oslo Municipality, Grünerløkka Child and Family Health Clinic, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Lena Henriksen
- Department of Nursing and Health Promotion, Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway
- Division of General Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Mirjam Lukasse
- Department of Nursing and Health Promotion, Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Nursing and Social Sciences, Institute of Nursing and Health Sciences, University of South-Eastern Norway, Kongsberg, Norway
| | - Lisbeth Valla
- Department of Nursing and Health Promotion, Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway
- Regional Centre for Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Eastern and Southern Norway (RBUP), Oslo, Norway
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Johansson N, Warner G, Avogadri N, Sarkadi A. Screening for economic hardship at Child Health Care Centres: A qualitative study of stakeholders' perceptions and experiences of the Healthier Wealthier Families model in Sweden. Scand J Public Health 2024:14034948241252227. [PMID: 38813674 DOI: 10.1177/14034948241252227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
AIMS The Healthier Wealthier Families model uses the child healthcare services as an access point to screen and connect parents experiencing economic hardship to municipal Budget and Debt Counselling services. This study aimed to explore the perceptions and experiences of the Healthier Wealthier Families model in a Swedish context. METHODS Semi-structured interviews were conducted with three stakeholder groups: eligible parents who declined (n=10) and received (n=9) financial counselling; nurses (n=7); and financial counsellors (n=5). The data were analysed using thematic analysis. RESULTS The analysis resulted in three main themes conveying the stigma of talking about finance, the connection between economic situation and family wellbeing, and the nuts and bolts of providing preventive financial counselling. CONCLUSIONS A working model aiming to ameliorate child poverty in a societal service context needs to address the preconceptions and perceived mandate and role of the professionals, the prevalence of financial stigma in society, especially in relation to being a 'good' parent, and the current preoccupations and perceived financial needs and hopes of the families served.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Johansson
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Sweden
| | - Georgina Warner
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Sweden
| | - Nils Avogadri
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Sweden
| | - Anna Sarkadi
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Sweden
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Gustafsson BM, Sund Levander M. The assessment of preschool children with ESSENCE symptoms: concordance between parents, preschool teachers and child psychologists. BMC Pediatr 2024; 24:191. [PMID: 38493112 PMCID: PMC10943794 DOI: 10.1186/s12887-024-04693-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND It is important to detect children with Early Symptomatic Syndromes Eliciting Neurodevelopmental Clinical Examinations (ESSENCE) in order to implement early intervention and support for the child and family. Standardized instruments for assessment in different contexts of behaviour problems, engagement and psychosocial health obtain an objective picture of the preschool child's mental health. AIM To explore and compare parents', preschool teachers' and child health care psychologists' assessment of behaviour, everyday function, engagement, social interaction and psychosocial health in children with ESSENCE symptoms. METHOD Parents of 152 children (114 boys and 38 girls, 4.5 ± 1 years) with ESSENCE symptoms, 155 preschool teachers and 8 child psychologists participated. Parents and preschool teachers assessed externalizing and internalizing behavioural problems using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), including the SDQ supplement for assessing the impact of behavioral problems on daily function. Preschool teachers also assessed engagement and social interaction using the Children's Engagement Questionnaire (CEQ), and the child psychologists assessed psychosocial health with the Child Psychosocial Health Assessment (LillaLAPS) and template in conversations with parents of children with neurodevelopmental problems. RESULTS Parents', preschool teachers' and child psychologists' assessment of the child's ESSENCE symptoms overall agreed. Both parents and preschool teachers see a strength in the child's social abilities. Differences in mean values show that parents assess more conduct, emotional symptoms and problems in daily life and more social skills, compared to the preschool teachers rating more peer problems. CONCLUSION It is important to consider different contexts to identify the child's need for support in everyday life. Expanded use of validated screening instruments in clinical practice would promote detection of children not already identified as exhibiting neurodevelopmental problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- B M Gustafsson
- Linköping University, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping, Sweden.
- Psychiatric Clinic, Högland Hospital Eksjö, Department of Psychiatry and Rehabilitation, Region Jönköping County, Jönköping, Sweden.
| | - M Sund Levander
- Psychiatric Clinic, Högland Hospital Eksjö, Department of Psychiatry and Rehabilitation, Region Jönköping County, Jönköping, Sweden
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Mathisen Haaland IE, Bondas TE. Public Health Nurses in an Internal Negotiation Process When There Is Concern About the Child's Care. Glob Qual Nurs Res 2024; 11:23333936241267003. [PMID: 39185747 PMCID: PMC11344900 DOI: 10.1177/23333936241267003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2023] [Revised: 06/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 08/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The aim of the study was to explore and describe how public health nurses at child health clinics experience and perceive the follow-up of children and families when there is concern about the child's care. The goal was to contribute to knowledge development to guide health-promoting nursing care for children and their families. Theoretical perspectives included health promotion, child-centered and family-centered care, in addition to nursing care. An exploratory qualitative design informed by a hermeneutic approach was used. Data were collected in 3 focus groups with 16 public health nurses and analyzed using latent content analysis. The findings detail public health nurses' internal negotiation processes in the follow-up of children and the family, and the ways these negotiation processes were influenced by various prerequisites, the approaches for follow-up, dilemmas that affected public health nurses' approaches, and prolonged dwellings on past responses to children and families of concern. The lack of routines and goals for follow-up, a dominant parental perspective, and ambiguity related to health promotion and disease prevention, all created challenges for the public health nurses. Based on these findings, a model of public health nurse's follow-up when there is concern about the child's care was developed for future research.
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Midtsund AD, Garnweidner-Holme L, Valla L, Lukasse M, Henriksen L. A qualitative study of public health nurses' experiences detecting and preventing child maltreatment in primary care settings. J Adv Nurs 2023; 79:4660-4671. [PMID: 37358075 DOI: 10.1111/jan.15761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023]
Abstract
AIM To explore how public health nurses in child and family health centres experience detecting and preventing child maltreatment. DESIGN Qualitative study. METHODS Fourteen semi-structured individual interviews with public health nurses who worked in 11 different child and family health centres were conducted. The interviews were analysed using thematic analysis. RESULTS Three themes were identified: (i) integrating knowledge to prevent child maltreatment as part of their everyday job, (ii) striving hard to detect child maltreatment and (iii) experiencing the assignment to be complex and demanding. CONCLUSION Despite extensive experience, knowledge and following the guidelines, public health nurses in this study had difficulties finding children exposed to child maltreatment in child and family health centres. Public health nurses called for mutual multidisciplinary cooperation with other services and organizational facilitation, such as enough time and clear guidelines to effectively address this issue. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE This study provides knowledge about how public health nurses work with child maltreatment at the Child and Family Health Center, which can serve as valuable foundation for further research as well for collaborating services. REPORTING METHOD EQUATOR guidelines were followed, using the COREQ checklist. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION No patient or public contribution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Astrid Durdei Midtsund
- Department of Nursing and Health Promotion, Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway
- Oslo Municipality, Grünerløkka Child and Family Health Center, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Lisbeth Valla
- Department of Nursing and Health Promotion, Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway
- Regional Centre for Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Eastern and Southern Norway (RBUP), Oslo, Norway
| | - Mirjam Lukasse
- Department of Nursing and Health Promotion, Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Nursing and Social Sciences, Institute of Nursing and Health Sciences, University of South-Eastern Norway, Kongsberg, Norway
| | - Lena Henriksen
- Department of Nursing and Health Promotion, Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway
- Division of General Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Oslo University Hospital, Nydalen, Norway
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Mawhinney B, Fraser JA. Engagement and Retention of Families in Universal Australian Nurse-Home-Visiting Services: A Mixed-Methods Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:6472. [PMID: 37569013 PMCID: PMC10418844 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20156472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023]
Abstract
Family support is offered to Australian parents of young children using a mix of targeted and universal child and family health services including nurse-home-visiting programmes. These rely on the voluntary engagement of families. In this study, the capacity to engage and retain families, including those at risk of becoming involved with child protection services, was examined. The broad objective was to identify nursing practices used at the interface of health and child protection services and to articulate those practices. Child and Family Health Nurses (CFHN) (n = 129) participated in a pragmatic, multilevel mixed-methods study. A questionnaire was used to identify nursing practices in the first phase of this study followed by focus groups in the second phase to describe these practices in more detail. Three practice themes were identified and described: enrolment, retention and conclusion of the nurse-family relationship. Universal child and family health services feature flexible, advanced, and multidimensional family support services including child protection practices. This paper focuses on practices employed by nurses to engage and retain families where child protection concerns are identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Belinda Mawhinney
- Sydney Nursing School, University of Sydney, Susan Wakhil Health Building, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia;
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Nimborg J, Lindskog U, Nordgren L, Annerbäck EM. Routine conversations about violence conducted in Swedish child health services-A mixed methods study of nurses' experiences. Acta Paediatr 2023; 112:442-451. [PMID: 35398911 PMCID: PMC10084205 DOI: 10.1111/apa.16355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
AIM To evaluate an intervention where nurses in child health care services routinely talk to and inform parents about violence. METHODS The intervention included providing information during home visits and individual conversations with mothers and fathers/partners in connection with screening for parental depression. A convergent mixed-methods design was used with a documentation form for each child (n = 475) and results from focus group interviews with nurses. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and qualitative with manifest content analysis. RESULTS Almost all families participated in the intervention; individual conversations were conducted with nearly all the mothers, and to a somewhat lesser extent with the fathers/partners. Initially, the nurses felt slightly uncomfortable about these conversations, but described experiencing development and professionalisation in their role of talking about violence. Parents' reactions were generally positive and they expressed appreciation for this topic being raised. CONCLUSION The results show that the intervention has been carried out successfully. The newborn period is a phase in which mothers and fathers are interested and receptive to knowledge and support in sensitive matters. Prerequisites for implementation were the preparation phase for the nurses, the use of routine questioning and a questionnaire as a basis for the conversations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennie Nimborg
- Centre for Clinical Research in Sörmland, Uppsala University, Eskilstuna, Sweden
| | - Ulrika Lindskog
- Centre for Clinical Research in Sörmland, Uppsala University, Eskilstuna, Sweden
| | - Lena Nordgren
- Centre for Clinical Research in Sörmland, Uppsala University, Eskilstuna, Sweden.,Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Eskilstuna, Sweden
| | - Eva-Maria Annerbäck
- Centre for Clinical Research in Sörmland, Uppsala University, Eskilstuna, Sweden.,Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Eskilstuna, Sweden
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Engström M, Randell E, Lucas S. Child health nurses' experiences of using the Safe Environment for Every Kid (SEEK) model or current standard practice in the Swedish child health services to address psychosocial risk factors in families with young children - A mixed-methods study. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2022; 132:105820. [PMID: 35932659 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2022.105820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Child maltreatment (CM) is often hidden, and the youngest children are often those most exposed. CM can be prevented through programs that address risk factors, but few primary prevention strategies have been evaluated. OBJECTIVE To examine the experiences of nurses using the Safe Environment for Every Kid (SEEK) model compared to nurses using current standard practice in the Swedish child health services (CHS) to address psychosocial risk factors in the family environment. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING Nurses at 27 child health centers in the CHS in the county of Dalarna, Sweden participated in the study. A survey was answered by 55 nurses and 18 nurses participated in focus-group interviews. METHODS A convergent mixed methods research design with focus-group interviews and survey data was used. Qualitative Content Analysis was used to analyze the interview data and Mann Whitney U test was used to analyze the survey data. RESULTS The qualitative analysis identified four categories - "Framing the prerequisites for successful practice"; "Managing the mission of the CHS"; "Meeting the family as a professional"; and "Working with psychosocial risk factors can be emotional" - under the overarching theme "Universal application of a structured method adds value to experience-based knowledge when addressing psychosocial risk factors". Survey data showed that SEEK nurses rated to a greater degree that they possessed adequate knowledge, competence and sense of security to address psychosocial risk factors in their work. CONCLUSIONS This study indicates that using SEEK can strengthen the nurses in identifying and responding to families in need of psychosocial support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Engström
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Eva Randell
- School of Health and Welfare, Dalarna University, Falun, Sweden
| | - Steven Lucas
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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Invisibility of nurses and midwives in the public health response to child abuse and neglect: A policy review. Collegian 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.colegn.2022.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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O'Neill A, Edvardsson K, Hooker L. Clinical supervision practice by community-based child and family health nurses: A mixed-method systematic review. J Adv Nurs 2022; 78:1588-1600. [PMID: 35285975 PMCID: PMC9310731 DOI: 10.1111/jan.15191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Revised: 12/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
AbstractAimsTo systematically search the literature to identify studies related to clinical supervision in child and family health nurse contexts, and to determine the role it has in professional practice and the characteristics required for effective supervision.DesignA mixed‐method systematic review using a convergent integrative approach to data synthesis.Data sourceStudies only in English language were identified from searches of CINAHL, MEDLINE and EMBASE databases covering the years of publication from January 1990 to December 2020.Review methodsPrimary research studies of clinical supervision with child and family health nurses in community settings were included. Studies were critically appraised for methodological quality and data extracted, coded and analysed for themes in keeping with the review aims and key findings of each study.ResultsOf 2185 records screened, 63 full‐text papers were assessed for eligibility, which yielded 12 publications for inclusion—11 from the United Kingdom and one from Sweden. The majority (75%) of included studies were qualitative or mixed method. Four main themes with sub‐themes were identified: structural features, supportive experience, ensuring safety and strengthening practice.ConclusionClinical supervision across child and family health nurse contexts is limited. This study highlighted organizational commitment to clinical supervision as an important component of safe and quality practice. Supervisor training and supervisee orientation to supervision is required to optimize effective participation, together with shared agreement of the goals and purpose of supervision.ImpactThe findings from this review confirm the potential for clinical supervision to support improved outcomes for children and families. Understanding what models work best and in what contexts will inform workplace policy and educational programs for child and family nurses across diverse settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne O'Neill
- Judith Lumley Centre, School of Nursing and MidwiferyLa Trobe UniversityMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Kristina Edvardsson
- Judith Lumley Centre, School of Nursing and MidwiferyLa Trobe UniversityMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Leesa Hooker
- Judith Lumley Centre, School of Nursing and MidwiferyLa Trobe UniversityMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
- Rural Department of Nursing and Midwifery, La Trobe Rural Health SchoolLa Trobe UniversityBendigoVictoriaAustralia
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Engström M, Hiltunen J, Wallby T, Lucas S. Child Health Nurses' experiences of addressing psychosocial risk factors with the families they meet. Acta Paediatr 2021; 110:574-583. [PMID: 32716528 PMCID: PMC7891612 DOI: 10.1111/apa.15492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Revised: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Aim To examine how child health nurses perceive the routine assessment of psychosocial risk factors in the family environment as well as their self‐reported competence and the present organisational conditions in this context. Method A mixed‐methods design was used, including three focus group interviews and a web‐based survey. Qualitative data were analysed using systematic text condensation. Quantitative data were analysed at the descriptive level. Results Nurses expressed that identifying psychosocial risk factors was both important and relevant to their work. They had little formal training and education on most psychosocial risk factors, and they lacked structured methods to address them. In areas where nurses reported more formal education and a structured methodology (depression, parental stress), they rated to a higher degree that they possessed sufficient skills and sense of security. The nurses perceived that they seldom came into contact with families with financial problems, hazardous alcohol use or intimate partner violence. Conclusions There is a gap between the nurses’ attitudes regarding the importance of helping families in need and their ability to do so with the current level of training and methodological support. The results suggest that, in many cases, psychosocial problems remain undetected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Engström
- Department of Women’s and Children’s Health Uppsala University Uppsala Sweden
| | | | - Thomas Wallby
- Department of Women’s and Children’s Health Uppsala University Uppsala Sweden
| | - Steven Lucas
- Department of Women’s and Children’s Health Uppsala University Uppsala Sweden
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