RESUMO
This study sought to identify parents' perspectives about issues relating to the provision of health care to their chronically ill children while they are at school. A survey of parents with school-aged children attending the paediatric subspecialty outpatients clinic in a large teaching hospital was designed to collect both qualitative and quantitative data about this topic. Findings included that 48% (n =161) of parents participating in the study said their child required some form of care or attention while at school. Highest scoring areas of need included supervision of meals (36%), administering insulin (19%), and administering nebulizers/puffers (19%). In addition, 75% of parents with children requiring health care while in school said that special knowledge and skill was required to deliver this care; 56% of these parents did not feel that teachers had the knowledge that would enable them too look after their chronically ill child during school hours.
