Qualitative Study of Foster Caregivers' Views on Adherence to Pediatric Appointments.
Janet U Schneiderman, Andrea K Kennedy, Caitlin S Sayegh
PMID 27291938WHAT IT FOUND
Foster caregivers universally requested appointment reminders, preferring phone or text.
They cited personal relationships with staff, clinic organization, and the need for immunizations as key motivators. Unrelated caregivers also feared losing their license if they missed appointments.
Key findings
01All caregivers stated that an appointment reminder would be helpful, with telephone and text message being the most preferred methods.
02Positive health care experiences, including personal relationships with providers and efficient clinic organization, were identified as important factors in improving adherence.
03Unrelated caregivers were more likely to cite fear of repercussions from child welfare workers, such as losing their license, as a motivation for attending appointments.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The sample was small (28 caregivers) and limited to a primarily Latino, urban population in Los Angeles, which restricts the transferability of findings to other regions or demographics. The study took place in a clinic specifically connected to the child welfare system, so challenges faced by caregivers in general community settings might not be represented. Caregivers who declined to participate cited lack of time, suggesting the sample may miss perspectives of the most overwhelmed or disengaged caregivers. There was a discrepancy where three caregivers in the nonadherent group claimed they had never missed an appointment, raising questions about the accuracy of self-reported adherence.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret these themes as evidence that specific interventions, like text reminders, improve adherence rates. This study reports caregivers' preferences and perceived barriers, not the effectiveness of any strategy.