Health Care Providers' Perspectives on COVID-19 and Medical Neglect in Children with Life-Threatening Complex Chronic Conditions
Title
Health Care Providers' Perspectives on COVID-19 and Medical Neglect in Children with Life-Threatening Complex Chronic Conditions
Creator
Cleveland RW; Deming RS; Helton G; Wilson CR; Ullrich CK
Identifier
Publisher
Journal of Child & Adolescent Trauma
Date
2022
Subject
children with life-threatening conditions; complex chronic conditions; Covid-19; medical neglect; perspectives of health care professionals
Description
PURPOSE: Little is known regarding medical neglect in children with Life-Threatening Complex Chronic Conditions (LT-CCCs). We examined the impact of COVID-19 on concern for medical neglect in this population. METHODS: Qualitative interview study of multi-disciplinary health care providers (HCPs) from critical care, palliative care, and complex care services on the topic of medical neglect in children with LT-CCCs. We used inductive thematic analysis to generate themes. Findings presented herein are derived from a sub-analysis of the larger study that focused specifically on discussion of COVID-19 by HCPs. RESULTS: 9 of the 20 HCPs interviewed mentioned COVID-19 as influencing situations of potential medical neglect. These 9 represent all disciplines and teams. Interviewees reported COVID-19 increased burden on parents and likelihood of medical neglect due to: 1) Familial distancing from medical and social support and, 2) Changes to medical care delivery that impaired the medical community's ability to engage and support families. CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the fragility of the medical and social systems that supports families of children with LT-CCCs. These findings are consistent with previous literature that suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic has increased the risk for child maltreatment. It additionally highlights the vulnerability of this patient population.
Rights
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Citation List Month
March 2022 List
URL Address
Collection
Citation
Cleveland RW; Deming RS; Helton G; Wilson CR; Ullrich CK, “Health Care Providers' Perspectives on COVID-19 and Medical Neglect in Children with Life-Threatening Complex Chronic Conditions,” Pediatric Palliative Care Library, accessed February 10, 2025, https://pedpalascnetlibrary.omeka.net/items/show/17828.