Opening a Pandora’s Box that can’t be salvaged: Health professionals’ perceptions of appearance-related care in an Australian pediatric specialist hospital

Gee, Caroline; Maskell, Jessica; Newcombe, Peter; Kimble, Roy; Williamson, Heidi

doi:10.1016/j.bodyim.2019.07.004

Cited by 11 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…This study found that the complexity surrounding appearance issues was related to the participants’ experience of challenges in identifying, addressing, and supporting patients regarding appearance issues. Previous research confirms appearance issues as challenging for health care professionals and found a need for resources for improvement of appearance-related care [ 8 , 10 , 11 , 27 – 29 , 44 ]. Hospital settings are, according to the findings of the present study, equipped with extra resources for coping with appearance issues through the availability of a variety of professions, but previous research shows a need for clarification regarding different roles and access to referral [ 28 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…Previous research has also shown that appearance issues are important because of their relationship to health, particularly negative health consequences [ 1 , 8 , 14 , 16 ]. The psychosocial impacts of appearance concerns among patients across the lifespan add to this importance and have frequently being reported by health care staff [ 8 , 10 ]. The importance of appearance issues can be exemplified by previous research showing that approximately 36% of cancer patients experience appearance problems [ 27 ], weight concerns are common among pregnant women [ 28 ] and appearance issues are important in the care of patients with dementia [ 29 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The participants continuously referred to the strength of a holistic, person-centred nursing approach, which gives the opportunity for person-adjusted appearance-related awareness and support, without judgement and stigmatisation based on preconceptions or prejudices. A need for additional holistic approaches in care, including psychosocial resources for appearance-related issues, has been identified [ 8 , 10 ] and holistic nursing as well as partnership are central components of person-centred care [ 45 ]. Person-centredness with a focus on the person/nurse meeting includes a focus on the social environment, personalisation, shared decision-making, communication, and empowerment [ 45 ] and can thus be related to the previously recommended empowerment approach [ 39 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Research focusing on positive body image confirms the strong link between appearance, well-being and health, thereby highlighting the importance of appearance-related support by health care providers [ 8 , 9 ]. Healthcare providers meet patients with a wide range of appearance concerns, such as different disfiguring conditions, disabilities, neurological diseases, and ageing and weight/shape issues, and a need for appearance-specific knowledge and skills has been identified [ 8 , 10 , 11 ]. More research is needed concerning factors of relevance to improve health care providers’ opportunities for knowledge and skills development regarding working with patients’ appearance issues in practice [ 8 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Nursing staff’s experience of appearance issues in various nursing situations

2021

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Background Health care professionals frequently interact with unknown patients in a process involving appearance-based judgements and priority-setting, all of which has an effect on health care equality. The healthcare provider–patient interaction is also highly relevant for the awareness and support of patients’ appearance concerns, with an associated possibility for improving patients’ satisfaction with their appearance and health. The aim was therefore to explore nursing staff’s experience of patients’ appearance issues in various nursing situations, with the purpose to facilitate awareness raising and knowledge development. Method A qualitative research approach with focus group interviews was chosen due to the exploratory aim of the study. Five semi-structured focus group interviews were conducted with 24 nursing staff in total (19 women and five men). The participants’ ages varied (20 to 45 years) as did their professional nursing experience. The interviews lasted approximately one hour, were digitally recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed through thematic analysis. Results The thematic analysis resulted in the two themes Patient perspective and Professional nursing role, with associated subthemes. The findings showed the importance and impact of appearance issues in nursing situations and how these are linked to the health of the patients. Some groups of patients were identified as more vulnerable than others, which was associated with health care inequalities and health disparities. Value-based strategies along with knowledge, and skills for holistic person-centred care were identified as important resources for the development of appearance-related awareness and support in various nursing situations. Conclusion Strategies for improvement can be realised through the educational system for nursing staff, but mainly by using collective reflective learning forums in different workplaces. An empowerment approach is considered a useful framework for the implementation of holistic person-centred care, functioning as a resource for appearance-related awareness and support in various nursing situations. However, more research is needed on the complex and challenging phenomenon of appearance issues in nursing situations. Knowledge development related to successful person-centred strategies for appearance-related awareness and support is important, especially strategies with a salutogenic perspective.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Nursing staff’s experience of appearance issues in various nursing situations

2021

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“…As a result, healthcare and support professionals typically have a unique and valuable insight into parental experiences. 18 CLP psychosocial research has found that incorporating the health professional voice has helped to identify common individual and family concerns. 19 However, research with health professionals who work with families affected by visible differences remains sparse, limited to certain conditions (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“Have We Done Enough?” A Cross-condition Exploration of the Experiences of Parents Caring for A Child with an Appearance-affecting Condition or Injury

Thornton

Harcourt

Deave

et al. 2021

Developmental Neurorehabilitation

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Children and young people (CYP) with appearance-affecting conditions/injuries report common pervasive psychosocial difficulties, regardless of cause, nature or extent of their visible differences. Parents or carers can also experience psychosocial difficulties and challenges specific to having CYP with a visible difference. Current literature is confined to exploring condition-specific concerns of parents, typically in more prevalent appearance-affecting conditions/injuries, whilst the experiences of parents of CYP with other visible differences are unknown. Thirty-one interviews (parents n = 20, health and support professionals n = 11) and 4 parent focus groups (n = 25) were conducted. Three overarching themes were constructed: "Appearance does(n't) matter" describes the impact of having a child with a socially undesirable appearance; "Being 'battle' ready" reflects parents' desire to arm their child with resources to manage challenges, whilst "Walking the tightrope" reflects parents' lack of clarity about how best to approach this. Findings highlight shared and common cross-condition psychosocial difficulties among parents and carers.

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