CATCH: Parents and Carers ATtending A&E for CHildren with fever
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Parents and carers attending A&E for children with fever: exploring health-care seeking behaviour.
IRAS ID
179953
Contact name
Sarah Tonkin-Crine
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 8 months, 27 days
Research summary
The purpose of this study is to find out why parents and carers come to A&E when their young child has a fever. Research studies indicate that young children with fever commonly attend A&E departments and that some of these attendances are unnecessary because children are not seriously unwell. Anecdotal evidence also indicates that parents and carers may come to A&E because they feel they are more likely to get antibiotics for their child. Although some studies have asked parents opinions before, much of this research has only been carried out in the US. It is important to explore the reasons that parents and carers bring children to A&E to find out whether they can be provided with information and support to access better care elsewhere. This study will ask parents and carers about their experiences of bringing a child with fever to A&E. It will also involve talking to clinicians who work in A&E about their experiences of treating such children. Understanding the experiences of parents and clinicians can help obtain a clear picture of what is currently happening in A&E. Parents may experience barriers in obtaining care for their child from other sources and may also have certain expectations about what A&E doctors can provide. Identifying these barriers can help to design interventions and information programmes to support parents in future so they can access better care, closer to home.
REC name
London - Surrey Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/LO/1207
Date of REC Opinion
27 Jul 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion