Infection control barrier techniques. Used by physicians during routine examinations. Parental attitudes
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1Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston 77550.
Insights
Most parents support doctors using infection control procedures like gloves and masks during pediatric care. These measures are not seen as obstacles to effective patient-provider relationships, though some fear may arise in young children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric healthcare
- Infection control
- Patient attitudes
Background:
- Understanding parental attitudes towards infection control is crucial for effective pediatric healthcare.
- Routine examinations and treatments necessitate adherence to infection control procedures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess parental attitudes regarding the use of infection control procedures during pediatric care.
- To identify factors influencing parental support for infection control measures.
Main Methods:
- A questionnaire was administered to parents of 316 children at a pediatric teaching hospital.
- Data collected focused on parental perceptions of infection control practices during routine examinations and treatments.
Main Results:
- A majority of parents expressed favorable attitudes towards doctors wearing gloves and masks.
- Support for infection control correlated with beliefs in disease transmission (cross-infection) and the efficacy of protective wear.
- Parents of preschool-aged children noted potential for increased fear in their children.
Conclusions:
- Parental support for infection control procedures in pediatric settings is substantial.
- Infection control practices do not appear to hinder the health-care professional-patient relationship.
- Addressing parental concerns, particularly regarding preschool-aged children's fear, may further enhance acceptance.
Abstract:
Parents of 316 children seen in the outpatient clinics of a large pediatric teaching hospital completed a questionnaire regarding their attitudes toward the use of infection control procedures by doctors during the routine examination and treatment of their children. Results revealed that the majority of parents held favorable attitudes toward the wearing of gloves and masks during patient care activities. Parents who agreed that gloves and masks should be worn also tended to believe that diseases could be spread through cross-infection, that protective wear would prevent such infection, and that their children generally would benefit from these precautions. Parents of preschool-aged children felt that such procedures might make their children more fearful. These data indicate that many parents are basically supportive of the use of infection control procedures with their children and that such techniques do not appear to be an obstacle to effective relationships between health-care professionals and their patients.