Parents' perspectives on dried blood spot self-sampling from children with epilepsy: A mixed-method study.
Acta Paediatr
; 109(12): 2789-2798, 2020 12.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-32198892
ABSTRACT
AIM:
Children with epilepsy often have concomitant diagnoses. Dried blood spot samples for drug monitoring can be collected by parents at home as an alternative to traditional sampling. This mixed-method study aimed to understand the parents' perspectives on blood self-sampling from their children and to identify factors contributing to successful sampling.METHOD:
Parents who had collected a sample from their child during a visit to the neuropediatric clinic were asked to fill in a questionnaire. To get in-depth information and individual perspectives, parents and nurses participated in semi-structured interviews and analysed with thematic analysis.RESULTS:
The results from questionnaires (n = 64) and interviews (n = 9) were interpreted together. Watching an instruction video and practical training contributed to successful sampling. 97% of the parents managed to collect a sample, 72% thought it was easy to perform, and 80% found self-sampling at home desirable. Factors for success were as follows high motivation, prepared parents with pre-understanding, a pragmatic attitude, flexible education, effective communication and willingness to take on the role as a performer. Risk factors were as follows conflict, fear, unprepared parents, confused or worried children.CONCLUSION:
Voluntary self-sampling at home for parents of children with epilepsy is feasible and can reduce stress factors in everyday life.Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Epilepsy
Type of study:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Qualitative_research
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limits:
Child
/
Humans
Language:
En
Journal:
Acta Paediatr
Year:
2020
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Suecia