Parents’ experiences of adverse drug reations in children: qualitative study

Arnott, J., Turner, M.A., Hesselgreaves, H., Nunn, A.J., Peak, M., Pirmohamed, M., Smyth, R.L. and Young, B. (2012) Parents’ experiences of adverse drug reations in children: qualitative study. Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety, 21(1), pp. 110-119. (doi: 10.1002/pds.2222)

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Abstract

Objectives: Children experience ADRs, yet there is virtually no evidence to guide clinicians who communicate with families when a child has an ADR. We investigated parents’ accounts of their child’s suspected ADR to understand their experiences and communication needs. Design: The study used semi-structured qualitative interviews with analysis informed by the principles of the constant comparative method. Participants: The study included parents of 44 children who had a suspected ADR identified on hospital admission, during in-patient treatment, or reported by parents using the Yellow Card scheme. Setting: The study was conducted in a regional children’s hospital and used spontaneous reports of ADRs by parents. Results: Many parents described being confused by how practitioners communicated about ADRs and unclear about the implications for the child’s future use of medicines. Parents were frustrated when practitioners did not acknowledge and record the suspected ADR. Some felt that practitioners had abandoned their child, and a few reported refusing further medicines because they feared a repeated ADR. The accounts of parents of children with cancer were different; they described how practitioners had clearly explained the risks associated with medicines. Despite the serious nature of the risks associated with their child’s treatment, these parents felt confident in practitioners’ management of their child’s ADRs. The methods used by parents to link symptoms in their child with a medicine were similar to those used by practitioners to assess the likelihood of an ADR. This suggests there is a common ground between parents and practitioners that could be a starting point for improving communicating about ADRs. Conclusion: From the perspective of most parents, practitioners’ communication about children’s ADRs was poor. The accounts of parents of children with cancer illustrate how good communication about ADRs can reduce parental confusion and anxiety. Improved communication about ADRs with parents is needed, and the overlap between parents and practitioners in how they linked children’s symptoms to medicines could be a starting point. However, more research is needed to identify and overcome potential barriers to improving communication with families about ADRs.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Hesselgreaves, Dr Hannah
Authors: Arnott, J., Turner, M.A., Hesselgreaves, H., Nunn, A.J., Peak, M., Pirmohamed, M., Smyth, R.L., and Young, B.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Health Economics and Health Technology Assessment
Journal Name:Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety
Publisher:Wiley
ISSN:1053-8569
ISSN (Online):1099-1557

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