Educating the Family regarding Chronic Physical Illness

Recent research estimates 18% of children in the United States live with special health care needs. Most care for children with special health care needs or chronic illnesses takes place in the home and requires parents/caregivers to be prepared to meet the physical, social, and psychological needs of the child. If the child is diagnosed with a chronic physical illness such as diabetes or asthma, then this means the parents and other family members provide supportive care, maintenance of physical function care, and care that prevents further problems.

Patricia Jackson Allen and Judith A. Vessey note that much of the research about chronic physical illness in children describes the course of the illness, the necessity of child and family education, clinical interventions, and disease management models. ...