Mental healthcare for children with chronic conditions: A qualitative study

Abstract

Objective To explore parent perspectives on accessing mental healthcare for children with a chronic physical health condition. Design Qualitative research using semistructured interviews and Framework Analysis. Rankings were used to select attributes for a Discrete Choice Experiment (DCE). Setting Four specialty outpatient clinics (diabetes, epilepsy, bronchiectasis unrelated to cystic fibrosis and epidermolysis bullosa) at an Australian tertiary paediatric hospital. Participants Eighteen parents of children with a chronical physical health condition. Results Most parents identified the child’s general practitioner and/or hospital team as an initial pathway to seek help if they w..