Parental Intuition is a Vital Consideration in Child Illnesses
- graystons
- Jun 5
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 29
Researchers have strengthened the old adage that mums (parents/caregivers) know best.
A study in Australia has shown that parental intuition is more likely to predict critical illness among children than vital signs. The study considered data on almost 190,000 emergency hospital visits involving children (under the age of 19) and found that parental concern was not only associated with a higher chance the child would need ventilation (mechanical assistance to breathe).
The key question to pose to parents appears to be, ‘Are you worried your child is getting worse?’ during a visit to the Emergency Department or during a hospital stay, with 19.3% of those answering ‘yes’, the parents were able to raise concerns regarding deterioration before the child’s vital signs showed evidence of the decline.
It was noted that parents and caregivers are well-positioned to detect early and subtle signs of deterioration. The report recommends that ‘Rapid response systems should incorporate proactive assessment of parent or caregiver concerns for deterioration.’
The research goes a long way to showing that parental intuition regarding a child’s illness must be taken seriously by medical professionals, and reliance on seemingly reassuring vital signs can lead to missed opportunities in saving children’s lives. Accepting parents and carers as advocates for their children and as part of the care team, working alongside medical professionals, and listening to their voices will significantly impact outcomes for many children worldwide.
If parents do not feel listened to, Martha’s rule, which entitles parents concerned regarding their child’s illness to ask for a second opinion, is now being piloted by NHS England.
Sources:
Comments