Dataset Information

Food allergy management from the perspective of patients or caregivers, and allergists: a qualitative study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Research has shown that the long term management of food allergy is suboptimal. Our study aims to provide direction for improvement, by evaluating food allergy management from the perspective of, food allergic patients or their caregivers, and allergists in selected outpatient settings in Ontario.

Methods

This two-part study included an anonymous questionnaire completed by patients or their caregivers in allergy clinics, and a qualitative interview with allergists. In Part A, food allergic patients or their caregivers were surveyed about information they received on food allergy, their level of confidence with self-management, and their learning needs. In Part B, allergists were interviewed about teaching priorities and the challenges and strategies that currently exist in food allergy management. The questionnaire was developed and piloted at the Hamilton Health Sciences Corporation-McMaster University Medical Center Site. Using convenience sampling, participants were recruited from 6 allergy clinics in 5 Ontario cities. Patients of any age with food allergy who were evaluated by an allergist were considered for inclusion. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and frequency analysis. Audio recorded interviews with allergists were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using content analysis of grounded theory methodology.

Results

Ninety-two food allergic families in the care of 6 allergists in Toronto, Hamilton, London, Kitchener, and Kingston participated in the study. Key areas requiring improvement in food allergy management were identified: 33% of families were not shown how to use an epinephrine auto-injector with a trainer, only 57% were asked to demonstrate an auto-injector, despite being on average at their 5th visit, and only about 30% felt very confident about when and how to give an auto-injector. Fifty percent of families did not receive sufficient information on medical identification and 21% did not receive information about support groups. Interviews with allergists revealed limitations in time and nursing resources.

Conclusions

Our study highlights the educational gaps and overall experiences of food allergic families in Ontario, and the challenges faced by the allergists managing them.

SUBMITTER: Xu YS

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3002337 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Food allergy management from the perspective of patients or caregivers, and allergists: a qualitative study.

Xu Ya S YS Waserman Sam B SB Waserman Susan S Connors Lori L Stawiarski Kristin K Kastner Monika M

Allergy, asthma, and clinical immunology : official journal of the Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology 20101130 1

<h4>Background</h4>Research has shown that the long term management of food allergy is suboptimal. Our study aims to provide direction for improvement, by evaluating food allergy management from the perspective of, food allergic patients or their caregivers, and allergists in selected outpatient settings in Ontario.<h4>Methods</h4>This two-part study included an anonymous questionnaire completed by patients or their caregivers in allergy clinics, and a qualitative interview with allergists. In P ...[more]

PMID: 21118534

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Project description:IntroductionFood allergy affects up to 10% of Australian children, and living with food allergic children can be challenging for parents. This study explored parental perceptions and knowledge as they navigate a new reality of keeping their child safe.MethodsParents of children with food allergies completed an online food allergy survey in 2015. Questions explored health knowledge, skills, and attitudes (KSAs) as well as quality of life (QoL) through the inclusion of the Food Allergy Quality of Life - Parental Burden instrument (FAQL-PB). Notification of the survey included advertisements to more than 700 randomly selected Australia-wide preschools, 44 allergy specialists, and Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia. Responses were tabulated and analysed.ResultsOf the 400 participants who logged on, 357 commenced the survey and 318 finished. Questionnaire analysis showed that 44.1% of parents (n = 135) hesitated to use an adrenaline auto-injector and may be influenced by a classification system where symptom severity is not universally understood. While 79% would sign up to a national Anaphylaxis Registry, intention to participate in clinical trials using vaccines was disclosed by only 56%. Allergen labelling and community acceptance continue to be the most challenging aspects of managing a food allergy, and 50% of parents reported that food allergy played a role in choosing a preschool or primary school. Overall, quality of life for participants was influenced more by gender (male) and age of the child than where they lived - capital city or regional location; however, regional participants were more frustrated over lack of appreciation relating to the seriousness of food allergy (p = 0.010).ConclusionResults highlight the need for educational strategies for both the food allergy community and public, particularly in regional areas, since there is a perceived lack of appreciation as to the seriousness of food allergy. Educational resources and relevant networks are required to support parents and caregivers in the management of children with food allergy.

Dataset Information

Food allergy management from the perspective of patients or caregivers, and allergists: a qualitative study.

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Food allergy management from the perspective of patients or caregivers, and allergists: a qualitative study.

Similar Datasets

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