Parents' beliefs and expectations when presenting with a febrile child at an out-of-hours general practice clinic.

摘要: On the basis of structured interviews with 146 parents, this study describes why and when parents acutely ill children seek out-of-hours service, what actions they might have taken beforehand, their expectations as to outcome consultation. A total 46% did not consider child's condition be serious, but 12% throught that child was very ill. Parents sought medical advice because perceived a lack control (49%), fear serious disease (17%), for symptom relief (34%). All except three expected there an examination child, 79% explanation or diagnosis. Only 13% spontaneously mentioned prescription. It is clinical communicative skills prevail in promoting successful consultations setting.