Mothers' experiences of giving medicines to children with severe and profound intellectual disabilities-The impact on time.
Carmel Doyle
PMID 35001409WHAT IT FOUND
Mothers of children with severe and profound intellectual disabilities said giving medicines was relentless and time-consuming.
It controlled daily life. They were always on call, planned around dosing, and needed careful organization for safe administration.
Key findings
01Mothers described giving medicines as time-consuming, with many watching the clock and some feeling consumed by time.
02Giving medicines shaped daily routines, because mothers adapted their lives, limited spontaneous outings, and organized around dosing.
03Preparation and administration required detailed organization, including managing supplies, prescriptions, and medicine forms.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
Only mothers were included, not fathers or other caregivers. The sample was purposive and may have attracted mothers who already had difficulties with giving medicines. The study captured experiences at one time period, so later routines may differ. It describes 15 mothers' experiences in Ireland, so it may not fit other settings or families. As a qualitative study, it does not test whether a medication support programme works.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read this as evidence that a medication support programme works. It is a qualitative study of 15 mothers' experiences, so it describes time and routine demands but does not test an intervention or measure outcomes.