The Management of Children with Chronic Health Problems at School. A Qualitative Study

Background: The prevalence of chronic health problems in childhood such as food and respira-tory allergies, endocrine and skin disorders has increased globally. Parents and children experi-ence difficulties in managing their illness that reduce their quality of life and increase the pres-ence of negative feelings such as fear or anxiety during school hours. Objectives: The aim of this study was to describe and understand the parents’ experiences and opinions on the management of children with chronic health problems during school hours. Methods: A qualitative descrip-tive study design was used. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 parents (1 male and 16 female) who have children with a chronic health problem between September 2022 and June 2023. The data were analyzed with the help of a qualitative data analysis software. The COREQ checklist was used to develop the study. Results: Two themes and four sub themes emerged from the data analysis: 1) Parents’s perceptions of the school nurse with the subthemes 1.1. The school nurse: an indispensable figure in the care of children with chronic health prob-lems and 1.2. The need for a school nurse as a support system in the educational environment; 2) Chronic pediatric health problems: a challenge for parents and children with the subthemes 2.1. The emotional impact of having a child with a chronic health problem and 2.2. The lack of re-sources in school for children with chronic health problems. Conclusions: Children with chronic health problems are unprotected during school hours due to the absence of a school nurse. Par-ents and teachers have to cope with their care without the necessary knowledge, which makes it difficult to manage children with chronic health problems in the school environment.