Nature and Consequences of Established Interactions with Healthcare Providers Experiences of Parents/Guardians of Children with Cancer Before Arriving at Bugando Medical Centre in Northwestern Tanzania.
- Mwanza, Tanzania | Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences [CUHAS – Bugando] | 2023.
- Pages xi-86 Includes References
Abstract:
Background: Parents / guardians’ interactions are essential in positive health-seeking behavious for sick children. Studies on patient interactions with their providers have shown some shortcoming, including disrespect and verbal abuse of patients by care providers, lack of responsiveness to patients, ‘needs, and lack of confidentiality. Recent studies have associated it with the late presentation of children for cancer diagnosis and treatment. The underlying nature and consequences of interactions between parents/guardians and healthcare providers in referring children with cancer in Tanzania are unknown.
Objective: To explore and consequences of interactions among parents/guardians and their healthcare providers during the referral period of children for cancer diagnosis and treatment at Bugando Medical Centre.
Methods: A phenomenological study design was followed. Data was collected using a Swahili interview guide for 5 participants purposefully selected from the Oncology clinic at Bugando Medical Centre from July to August 2022. Information collected was transcribed verbatim to English, followed by back translation. A thematic analysis method was used in data analysis.
Results: Three sub-themes emerged under the nature of interaction, including Active-Passive interaction and Guidance-Cooperation interaction. Again, sub-themes identified under consequences of established interaction include Trust/mistrust, Care satisfaction/dissatisfaction, and information delay/misinformation.
Conclusion: This study has revealed several forms and consequences of interactions with healthcare providers as parents/guardians of sick children before cancer diagnosis. Generally, the interaction indicated good cooperation among the healthcare providers and parent/guardians. Due to this nature of interaction, the referral of the child to advanced treatment became effective.
Recommendation: The study recommends for focused training on communication skills to healthcare providers for improved health education to and parents/guardians of children with cancers. A similar study exploring the interaction experiences of healthcare workers is to be conducted to validate the current study’s findings.