Development of a Children's Trust in General Physicians Scale

Trust in the nurse: Findings from a survey of hospitalised children

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To measure hospitalised children's trust in the nurse.

BACKGROUND

Trust is central to the therapeutic relationship between the nurse and the patient. There can be no trusting relationship between the nurse and child if the parents have no trust or block the relationship (Bricher [Journal of Clinical Nursing, 8: 452, 1999]).

DESIGN

This study was a cross-sectional, correlational descriptive design using a self-complete questionnaire to measure children's trust in nurses, to examine the relationship between children's trust and their parents, and the correlations between trust and medication adherence, fear and interactions with the nurse.

METHODS

A modified version of the Children's Trust in General Nurses Scale designed by Rotenberg et al. (Journal for Specialists in Pediatric Nursing, 20: 298, 2015) was used. This Scale is a short self-report questionnaire designed to elicit information on children's beliefs in, and attitudes to, trust in nurses. The Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology statement for observational studies was applied (von Elm [British Medical Journal, 335: 806, 2007]).

RESULTS

The results indicated high levels of trust beliefs in the nurse. The children's and parents' trust beliefs were found to be correlated. Gender did not influence trust beliefs. Younger children had higher levels of trust than older children, particularly in relation to the perceived honesty of the nurse. Trust beliefs in the nurse lessened with previous exposure to the hospital setting. One-fifth of children reported fear of the nurse. Positive interaction with the nurse was shown to be positively related to adherence to care.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Children's level of trust in the nurse can be measured. A trusting child is likely to be less fearful and experience clinical procedures as less threatening and is more likely to adhere to treatment. Children's nurses should recognise that trust can change with age and with multiple hospital admissions.

A longitudinal investigation of trust beliefs in physicians by children with asthma and their mothers: Relations with children's adherence to medical regimes and quality of life

OBJECTIVE

The study examined the relations between trust beliefs in physicians, adherence to prescribed medical regimes, and quality of life for children with asthma and their mothers.

METHODS

One hundred forty-three children with asthma (116 males, M = 12 years-7 months) and their mothers were tested twice (Time 1/T1 and Time 2/T2) across a 1-year period. Standardized measures were administered that assessed the children's and mothers' trust beliefs in physicians, the children's quality of life, and children's adherence to prescribed medical regimes (adherence).

RESULTS

Correlations were found between children's trust beliefs in physicians, mothers' trust beliefs in physicians, adherence, and quality of life. Structural equation modelling analyses confirmed that (a) children's trust beliefs in physicians predicted their adherence and quality of life and (b) there were reciprocal predictive relations between the children's and mothers' trust beliefs in physicians.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings yield support for the conclusions that (a) trust beliefs in physicians by children with asthma promote their adherence and quality of life and (b) socialization of trust beliefs in physicians is a mutual mother-child process.

Quality of life and trust among young people with narcolepsy and their families, after the Pandemrix® vaccination: protocol for a case-control study

Background

The extensive vaccination programme against swine flu resulted in an increased incidence of narcolepsy among children and adolescents. There is a need to explore if these young persons’ experiences have affected their trust in healthcare, their willingness to participate in future prevention programmes, and their contacts with the healthcare system. The overall aim is to identify factors important for the life-situation of children and adolescents with narcolepsy and their families, and factors that correlate with trust in healthcare.

Methods/design

Data will be collected via questionnaires from all available children with narcolepsy following the vaccination and their families, as well as a control group of children with diabetes and their families. Longitudinal descriptive interviews will also be conducted with a selection of 20–25 children and their families. Techniques from media research will be used for Internet-based data collection and analysis of information relating to narcolepsy from social media.

Discussion

This project will use the situation of young persons with narcolepsy after the swine flu vaccination as a case to build a model that can be used in situations where trust in healthcare is essential. This model will be based on findings from the included studies on how trust is influenced by support, quality of life, burden of disease, impact on family, and use of social media. The model developed in this project will be beneficial in future situations where trust in healthcare is essential, such as new pandemic outbreaks but also for “everyday” adherence to health advice.

The relation between anorexic symptoms in women and their reports of trustworthiness in interactions with close persons

The study examined the relation between women's anorexic symptoms and their reports of trustworthiness in interactions with close persons. Ninety-eight females (mean age=24years-10months) completed the anorexic symptom subscale of the SEDS and reported (ascribed) the extent to which they showed reliability, emotional, and honesty trustworthiness behaviors in interactions with their mother, father, and close friend. Negative linear relations were found between anorexic symptoms and ascribed: (a) trustworthiness with close friends; (b) reliability trustworthiness; and (c) at a trend level, honesty trustworthiness. These were qualified by curvilinear relations and by elevated anorexic vs normative group comparisons. It was found that women with elevated anorexic symptoms ascribed lower trustworthiness than did women with the normal range of anorexic symptoms. The findings were interpreted as supporting the conclusion that women with elevated levels of anorexic symptoms are inclined to believe that they are deceptive in their interactions with close persons, primarily friends.

Effects of pre-consultation lists on the communicative behavior of children with cancer and their caregivers

Abstract This cross-sectional study present effects of pre-consultation lists on caregivers' and children's communicative behavior. Thirty-two dyads caregiver-child took part in this research, divided in three groups concerning the study design: Baseline 1, Intervention phase, and Baseline 2. Children and caregivers were individually interviewed before consultations on pediatric cancer treatment, in order to list doubts, expectations, and estimated issues to the medical visit. These themes were written down on a sheet of paper, attached to the child´s medical record cover, and would then be used as a memo in the following consultation. Results show that pre-consultation lists produced no effects on children's behavior, however the procedure was associated to specific doubts discussed by caregivers regarding dietary recommendations, coping with side effects, child development, biological aspects of cancer, and school activities. This study presents a low cost procedure that may contribute to tailor communication in pediatric settings.

Development of a scale to assess children's trust in general nurses

PURPOSE

Develop a Children's Trust in General Nurses Scale (CTGNS).

DESIGN AND METHODS

In a cross-sectional investigation, 128 U.K. children (68 females and 60 males; mean age = 10 years and 4 months) completed the CTGNS and reported their trust in, and fear of, nurses. A total of 46 parents reported those dispositions and the frequency of their children visiting medical centres.

RESULTS

The CTGNS showed acceptable internal consistency and factor structure. It was correlated with reported children's trust in nurses and visiting medical centres.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

The CTGNS will permit the investigation of children's trust in nurses and interventions to promote it.