Access to Primary Care Physicians Care Services Among African American Children With Asthma in Urban Areas

Date of Conferral

11-3-2023

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Health Services

Advisor

Dr. Cheryl Anderson

Abstract

Access to appropriate asthma care may be challenging for low-income African-American parents. Parents’ and caregivers’ perceptions regarding access to primary care services for asthma treatment for their children were explored using a qualitative design. The Anderson behavioral model was the conceptual framework that guided the study. This model helps understand patients’ use of health services. The research questions asked about primary care for asthma treatment, barriers to treatment, and possible facilitators to seeking appropriate care for children with asthma. A general qualitative design was applied, with the thematic analysis used to determine the findings. Ten parents and guardians participated in a one-on-one interview via Zoom. Seven themes and subthemes were discovered. The themes included, for example, (a) Symptoms of Serious Illness in Child Encouraged Parents to Use Primary Care Services and (b) Difficulty in Finding Easily Accessible and Reliable Medical Facilities or Pediatricians was a Barrier. NVivo software helped with data analysis to sort codes and categories to develop overarching themes. The results indicated that more specialists, particularly African-American doctors, are needed to diagnose children rather than using general pediatricians. Health disparities and cultural competence were also noted in the results. Positive social change may be found in recognizing the need for African American children to have access to appropriate diagnosis and treatment for asthma within primary care clinics that include physicians who are also African American.

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