Engaging Fathers in Pediatric Palliative Care Research.

Engaging Fathers in Pediatric Palliative Care Research. J Soc Work End Life Palliat Care. 2020 Jan 17;:1-15 Authors: Nicholas D, Beaune L, Belletrutti M, Blumberg J, Ing S, Rapoport A, Barrera M Abstract Fathers are under-represented in pediatric palliative care research despite frequently playing a key role in the lives of their children. The purpose of this study was to identify factors that affected paternal study invitation and participation. A secondary mixed-methods evaluation design guided examination of interview and focus group data as well as field notes from a qualitative study that examined the experiences and support needs of fathers of children with a life-limiting illness. Facilitators of paternal participation in the study consisted of: fathers' desire to gain from study participation either for themselves or others, perception of the study's importance, sense of appreciation for the study's focus on fathers and an established relationship with recruiting health care providers. Barriers to study participation included: recruiting health care providers' appraisal of fathers' lack of well-being, bereaved fathers' self-reported poor coping and the inability to locate and contact fathers, particularly after a child's death. Strategies for improving the engagement of fathers into research entailed: educating recruitment personnel, designing "father-focused" studies, communicating the value of the research to recruitment pe...
Source: Journal of Social Work in End-of-Life and Palliative Care - Category: Palliative Care Tags: J Soc Work End Life Palliat Care Source Type: research