Reassurance or judgement? Parents' views on the delivery of child health surveillance programmes

Abstract

Wider concepts of partnership working between health professionals and parents, and, needs assessment are important to this study. Crucial elements of the partnership appear to be missing and this coupled with needs assessments that leave parents feeling excluded mean that there are discrepancies between expectations and experiences of parents. These issues require consideration in order to improve services and experiences.

Insider perspectives: Qualitative insight from health visitor practice teachers and managers in 2012/13

“…The findings reiterate, to a large extent, those of previous authors in that relationship development, advanced communication and current knowledge are all important to parents (Donetto et al 2013, Marshall 2012, Russel and Drennan 2007, Roche et al 2005, Bloomfield et al 2005, Plews et al 2004.…”

“…Focus group and interview questions were developed drawing on key findings from previous research (Donetto et al 2013, Marshall 2012, Roche et al 2005. This was in addition to the influence of the policy context set out within the HVIP, which placed partnership working with parents central to its aims.…”

“…Over the last decade there have been a number of studies that have explored parental perceptions of the health visiting service (Plews et al 2004, Bloomfield et al 2005, Roche et al 2005, Russel and Drennan 2007, Marshall et al 2012. Parents report that good health visiting makes them feel 'known', respected and listened to (Donetto et al 2013).…”

Why health visiting? Examining the potential public health benefits from health visiting practice within a universal service: A narrative review of the literature

“…Failure to read cues, or to purposively seek clarification of parents' understanding, risks damaging future opportunities for health promotion, as parents may feel they are being dictated to and misunderstood when presented with unsolicited advice (Bloor and McIntosh, 1990;Foster and Mayall, 1990;Kirkpatrick et al, 2007;McIntosh and Shute, 2007). This may be perceived as being judgemental (Roche, et al, 2005) or as 'negative verbal persuasion' (Bandura, 1982), which has the potential to undermine selfefficacy, whereas 'positive verbal persuasion' (praise, encouragement, support) can help it to develop.…”

Principles of British health visiting

“…Clients have reported that they did not feel subjugated by health visitors if the interventions were based on acceptance and a professional caring approach (18) , although the opposite is true in that individuals can be further disempowered by their interactions with health visitors if practitioners do not accept individuals' views or are shocked by their situation (19) .…”