An exploration of raising a child in New Zealand with severe allergies and the potential for an anaphylactic reaction
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Other Title
Authors
Carstensen, Cassandra
Author ORCID Profiles (clickable)
Degree
Master of Nursing
Grantor
Eastern Institute of Technology
Date
2014
Supervisors
Thompson, Shona
Papps, Elaine
Papps, Elaine
Type
Masters Thesis
Ngā Upoko Tukutuku (Māori subject headings)
Keyword
New Zealand
nurses
children
allergies
impacts
families
lived experiences
care pathway
autoethnobiographies
nurses
children
allergies
impacts
families
lived experiences
care pathway
autoethnobiographies
ANZSRC Field of Research Code (2020)
Citation
Carstensen, C. (2014). An exploration of raising a child in New Zealand with severe allergies and the potential for an anaphylactic reaction. (Unpublished document submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Nursing). Eastern Institute of Technology (EIT), New Zealand.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION
Both international and national research concludes that allergies within children are increasing, as is the severity of the allergic response (Allergy New Zealand, 2012b; Lauritzen, 2004). Some research suggests a sevenfold increase in allergy diagnosis within the past ten years however as both severe and mild allergic responses are often misdiagnosed it is difficult to know what the true increase is (Paweanker, Walter, Canonica, Holgate & Lockey, 2011-2012). This has led to fragmented responses from the medical profession. A lack of knowledge about the cause of allergies alongside how to best manage them has contributed to feelings of frustration in those who live with allergies and their caregivers. This research is an exploration of the experience of raising a child in New Zealand with severe allergies and the potential for an anaphylactic reaction. It focuses on the impact on the family when a child is diagnosed with severe allergies.
AIMS OF THE RESEARCH
The aim of this research is to explore what is it like when your child is diagnosed with a severe allergy and the impact that can have on the whole family. Through the use of a personal narrative the research engages with issues concerning childhood allergies and encourage further conversations about allergy management. By increasing people’s knowledge about the impact on families and encouraging further investigation this research hopes to encourage the medical profession to provide more consistent and responsive care for families living with allergies.
METHODOLOGY
A qualitative method, autoethnography, was used as the aim of this research was to discuss the lived personal experience. As I am the mother of a child with severe allergies and the potential for an anaphylactic reaction, as well a nurse who is undertaking the research, I am in a prime position to inform people about the intricacies of living with allergies. This required a methodology that allowed for the lived experience to form the basis of the research.
Through the use of autoethnography I have been able to take readers through a journey of an aspect of my life, using my story to both inform and educate. Gibbs’ (1988) model of reflection was utilised to assist with the analysis of my narrative, and pseudonym names were used to assist in ensuring privacy.
FINDINGS
Several themes emerged. These were discussed under the subheadings: The mother, The nurse, Who is supporting us, and Desperately seeking knowledge. ‘The mother’ discusses the emotional response and how the diagnosis affected me and my ability to cope. Under the subheading ‘The nurse’ I identify a role conflict between being both a mother and a nurse employed at the hospital where we sought care for our child. The lines blurred creating a gap between both the care we sought and the care offered. The question ‘Who is supporting us’ I asked who is supporting us as a family, who is supporting my child as she grows, goes to school and engages in the wider community and who is supporting me to care for her? Finally, ‘Desperately seeking knowledge’ discussed my desire for knowledge and the various sources I utilised to get answers to the questions I have about allergies.
CONCLUSION
The goal of this research was to better inform nursing practice. This deeply personal and reflective insight into raising a child with severe allergies has highlighted the potential for nurses to play a major role in assisting families as they come to terms with an allergy diagnosis. There is an opportunity for nurses to establish an allergy care pathway. A pathway which would assist both the family as they learn to live with allergies and integrate within a community, and also the child as they progress into autonomous care for their allergies.
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