Gamze Yilmaz and Sevinç Polat
Objective: The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between schools and families of children with chronic diseases.
Design: The study conducted was designed as a descriptive and relational study.
Methods: The population of the study comprised of the teachers and parents of primary school children attending 28 primary schools in Central AÄŸrı, who also have a chronic disease. Two thirds (2/3) of these schools was selected using a simple random sampling method. The study was conducted with 98 parents and 100 teachers that accepted to participate in the study. Descriptive information of the parents and teachers, and two different subject-related questionnaires were used to gather data between 15 March and 30 April 2008 for this study. Data were evaluated by using percentages and chi-squares.
Results: Results of study concluded that 83.9% of mothers and 73.8% of fathers shared their child’s disease with their teachers; 43.6% of mothers and 63.9% of fathers had never met their child’s teacher prior to her/his illness; and 76.9% of mothers and 61.1% of fathers met with their child’s teacher from parents’ meeting to parents’ meeting after their child became ill. In terms of illness and adaptation to school, half the mothers and 54.8% of fathers collaborated with their child’s teacher; 61.9% of mothers and 66.7% of fathers collaborated with their child’s teacher regarding diet, medication, and activity.
Conclusions: Results of study concluded that the parent-school relationship of children with chronic diseases was inadequate. It is recommended that parent-teacher and healthcare personnel collaboration is improved so that children with chronic diseases can continue their school life in the same way as their peers, they can cope with the difficulties they experience due to their disease, and succeed academically.
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