Coming in hot: a qualitative investigation into perceptions of parents and doctors of reasons for the presentation of children with fever to the emergency department in England.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Paediatric emergency department (ED) attendances and admissions in England are increasing. Fever is a common presenting problem for these attendances. Anxiety and misperceptions surrounding appropriate management of fever persist among parents. Little evidence exists on the pathways to ED for fever, and doctors' perceptions of why parents present their child to the ED.

Objectives

To understand perceptions of parents and doctors of the reasons for ED presentation for children (0-18 years) with fever in England.

Design

This forms the first part of a qualitative study, using reflective thematic analysis.

Participants

15 parents (12 mothers and 3 fathers) who had taken their febrile child to hospital (2015-2023), and 5 ED doctors (4 consultants and 1 r

SUBMITTER: Franklin C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11683883 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature