Parents as partners: investigating the role(s) of mothers in coordinating health and education activities for children with chronic care needs

ABSTRACT

Interprofessional collaboration (IPC) between health professionals, and educators is an essential component of academic success and well-being for children who experience chronic illnesses. This study sought to understand parents’ roles in and perceptions of IPC between their child’s healthcare professionals and educators. We recruited 23 mothers to participate in our study. Data were analyzed using a combination of univariate analyses and content analysis. Overall, parents reported that they could effectively communicate their child’s health and educational needs with health and educational professionals, but statistical analysis determined moderately increased challenges presenting information across professions. Most participants (n = 19) indicated that IPC between health and educational professionals could be improved. Effectively engaging parents as partners in IPC can promote more seamless collaboration and communication of a child’s needs and offer a greater likelihood of achieving a child’s health and educational goals.

KEYWORDS:

• Interprofessional collaboration
• chronic illness
• ontario
• parental perspectives
• family-centred care
• mixed methods

Disclosure Statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the writing and content of this article.