Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder needs and experiences of parents/caregivers receiving services from a public sector hospital.
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Date
2010
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Abstract
The focus of this study was the exploration of parents and caregivers experiences of
raising children with ADHD and their experiences of services at a public sector hospital.
There is a paucity of scholarly studies conducted on this topic in South Africa. The
context of the study is the public sector hospital where the researcher is employed as a
social worker. Through her interactions with the parents and caregivers of ADHD
affected children she became aware of the challenges that they were exposed to and this
prompted her to undertake the study.
This was a qualitative study and a purposive sample was used. Semi-structured
interviews were conducted with 21 participants and one focus group was conducted as a
method of triangulation, with six participants. This study was guided by two theoretical
frameworks, namely the bio-psychosocial and ecosystems approaches.
The main conclusions drawn from the findings of the study were that many participants
experienced a lack of support from their families and from the hospital. Participants did
not have sufficient knowledge of the comprehensive treatment plan available in the
management of ADHD. Health care professionals failed to engage in mutual decision
making with participants, related to ADHD treatment and they neglected to address the
concerns of participants regarding their children. A further finding was that the referral
process to allied health professionals was inconsistent. Participants also experienced
difficulties with the hospital administrative processes.
Based on the findings, the recommendations include the need for more comprehensive
support which includes medical and psychosocial support for participants. The limited
knowledge base of participants with regard to the nature, causes and the use of
medication for ADHD should be addressed by the health care providers. This could be
achieved through participant education on the disorder at the initial stages of diagnosis.
ADHD should be managed in a more collaborative and co-ordinated manner at the health
care facility through an actively interdependent team.
Description
Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2010.
Keywords
Attention-deficit-disordered children--Care., Medical personnel-caregiver relationships., Attention-deficit-disordered children--Care--South Africa., Medical personnel-caregiver relationships--South Africa., Theses--Social work.