Parents and caregivers of children who have a chronic condition carry a large care burden and are at higher risk of having mental health symptoms. This study aims to see if completion of a mental health questionnaire by parents / caregivers at or before the child's paediatric appointment can help identify any symptoms of stress, anxiety or depression.
Following the questionnaire, parents / caregivers will be provided with the results of the questionnaire along with an information resource sheet. This will include information on anxiety, stress and depression, as well as different agencies they can contact to get support.
Parents / caregivers will be followed up at 3 and 6 months to see if they have any changes to mental health and quality of life, and whether they accessed any support services. Participants who did not complete the 3-month survey will be asked at the 6-month clinic visit to provide responses on an iPad to up to 5 questions selected from the 3-month survey. A text message will be sent prior to the visit to inform them.
The primary aim for this trial is to see whether parents / caregivers find this process acceptable, and whether it can work in a busy hospital clinic.
must be a parent of a child <18yo in an outpatient clinic at Royal Children's Hospital (in enrolled clinics either neuromuscular or diabetes)
able to complete a consent form in English without an interpreter
need for an interpreter to complete informed consent
Murdoch Childrens Research Institute
Lead sponsor
National Health and Medical Research Council, Australia
Collaborator
University of Melbourne
Collaborator
Royal Children's Hospital
Collaborator