Related Experiment Videos
Prevention of psychosocial problems in children with chronic illness
1Department of Pediatrics, Chedoke-McMaster Hospitals, Hamilton, Ont.
Insights
Primary care physicians can prevent psychosocial problems in children with chronic illness. Early information, support, and continuous care are key to managing childhood disability and ensuring healthy development.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Child Psychology
- Developmental Pediatrics
Background:
- Children with chronic illness and disability face heightened risks of psychosocial issues, including neurosis, attention deficit, and poor school adjustment.
- These challenges significantly impact the child's overall well-being and family dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline a proactive approach for healthcare professionals, particularly primary care physicians, to prevent psychosocial problems in children with chronic conditions.
- To emphasize the physician's role in supporting affected children and their families.
Main Methods:
- The study utilizes the transactional model of development, viewing child-environment interaction as a dynamic process.
- It adopts a noncategorical approach, focusing on common elements across various chronic illnesses.
Main Results:
- Physicians play a crucial role in early diagnosis and communication of the child's condition to the family.
- Providing hope, encouragement, and guidance is essential for positive outcomes.
- Monitoring child development and ensuring continuity of care are vital components of management.
Conclusions:
- Primary care physicians can significantly mitigate psychosocial risks associated with childhood chronic illness and disability.
- An integrated approach, combining developmental understanding with consistent medical support, fosters better adjustment and well-being.
Abstract:
Children with chronic illness and disability are at considerably increased risk of psychosocial problems, such as neurosis, attention deficit and poor adjustment to school. Health care professionals, especially primary care physicians, can do a great deal to prevent such problems in these children and their families. The approach outlined here is based on an understanding of the transactional model of development, in which the child interacts with--and to some extent creates--the social environment, and on a "noncategorical" concept in which common elements in chronic illness are recognized and emphasized. The physician's role is to inform the family of the child's condition as soon as possible, to offer hope, encouragement and guidance, to watch the child's development, to maintain a shared view of the child and family, and, if possible, to ensure continuity of care.