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Published on: November 4, 2010
Impoverished children with asthma: a pilot study of urban healthcare access
Andrea Wallace1, Jill Scott, Mary Klinnert
1University of Colorado Health Sciences Center School of Nursing, Denver, USA. andrea.wallace@uchsc.edu
Insights
Children with asthma face barriers accessing urban healthcare, including lack of management plans and medication adherence issues. Expanded nursing roles are crucial for improving pediatric asthma care.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Healthcare
- Health Services Research
- Asthma Management
Background:
- Asthma is a significant chronic condition in children.
- Accessing urban healthcare systems presents unique challenges for pediatric patients.
- Andersen's Behavioral Model provides a framework for understanding healthcare utilization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the healthcare experiences of children with asthma within an urban setting.
- To identify barriers and facilitators to accessing care using Andersen's Behavioral Model.
- To inform strategies for improving pediatric asthma care delivery.
Main Methods:
- A descriptive pilot study utilizing a convenience sample.
- Data collection involved semistructured interviews with 34 families of pediatric asthma patients.
- Medical record review was conducted to supplement interview data.
Main Results:
- A significant lack of written asthma exacerbation management plans was observed.
- Beliefs about medication addiction and side effects acted as barriers to adherence.
- Pediatric asthma patients encountered numerous providers in primary care settings.
Conclusions:
- Family and system-level factors impede effective healthcare access for children with asthma.
- Expanded nursing roles present a promising avenue to address identified barriers.
- Prioritizing nursing interventions is essential for enhancing pediatric asthma care.
Issues And Purpose:
Using Andersen's Behavioral Model of Health Care Use, this pilot study was conducted to better understand the experiences of children with asthma as they access an urban healthcare system.
Design And Methods:
This descriptive study used a convenience sample of 34 families of pediatric asthma patients who participated in semistructured interviews and closed medical record review.
Results:
Only one patient reported having a written exacerbation management plan. Beliefs regarding medication addiction and side effects were frequently reported as barriers to medication adherence, and children seeking asthma care in primary care settings saw many care providers.
Practice Implications:
Exploring how expanded nursing roles can help address both family and system factors serving as barriers to health care ought to be a key priority for nursing.
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