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Peer-reviewedCC BY 4.0Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)

Making Sense of Point‐Of‐Care Testing for the Acute Management of Respiratory Tract Infections in Young Children: Caregiver Experiences in Sweden

  • Helle Mølsted Alvesson1
  • Ingela Zenk2
  • Reza Rasti1,3
  • Tobias Alfvén1,2
  1. 1Department of Global Public Health Karolinska Institutet Stockholm Sweden
  2. 2Sachs´ Children and Youth Hospital Stockholm Sweden
  3. 3Sparta Children's Clinic Lund Sweden
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Abstract

Aim: This study examined how parents perceive and experience point‐of‐care testing in a paediatric emergency department and how these tests relate to the overall diagnostic process. Parents sought care for their children due to suspected respiratory tract infections.

Methods: Twenty parents participated in semi‐structured interviews. These interviews were analysed using content analysis and guided by the theory of symbolic interactionism.

Results: Parents considered testing an important part of the consultation and found it easy for the child to undergo. Performing tests was a tangible way for parents to understand the progress of care. When tests were not performed, parents expected a reason for their omission. The tests were viewed as symbolic markers that the diagnostic process was advancing and as proof to parents that visiting the paediatric emergency department was the correct choice.

Conclusions: Parents interpreted point‐of‐care testing as a potent medical and symbolic tool to discover or rule out serious diseases. To prevent the risk of confusing test results with a diagnostic label, clear communication between caregivers and providers can alleviate uncertainty.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{alvesson2026making,
  title = {{Making Sense of Point‐Of‐Care Testing for the Acute Management of Respiratory Tract Infections in Young Children: Caregiver Experiences in Sweden}},
  author = {Helle Mølsted Alvesson and Ingela Zenk and Reza Rasti and Tobias Alfvén},
  journal = {Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)},
  year = {2026},
  month = jul,
  doi = {10.1111/apa.70705},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1111/apa.70705},
  note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Making Sense of Point‐Of‐Care Testing for the Acute Management of Respiratory Tract Infections in Young Children: Caregiver Experiences in Sweden
AU  - Helle Mølsted Alvesson
AU  - Ingela Zenk
AU  - Reza Rasti
AU  - Tobias Alfvén
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/07/21
JO  - Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
DO  - 10.1111/apa.70705
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1111/apa.70705
AB  - Aim: This study examined how parents perceive and experience point‐of‐care testing in a paediatric emergency department and how these tests relate to the overall diagnostic process. Parents sought care for their children due to suspected respiratory tract infections.  Methods: Twenty parents participated in semi‐structured interviews. These interviews were analysed using content analysis and guided by the theory of symbolic interactionism.  Results: Parents considered testing an important part of the consultation and found it easy for the child to undergo. Performing tests was a tangible way for parents to understand the progress of care. When tests were not performed, parents expected a reason for their omission. The tests were viewed as symbolic markers that the diagnostic process was advancing and as proof to parents that visiting the paediatric emergency department was the correct choice.  Conclusions: Parents interpreted point‐of‐care testing as a potent medical and symbolic tool to discover or rule out serious diseases. To prevent the risk of confusing test results with a diagnostic label, clear communication between caregivers and providers can alleviate uncertainty.
SN  - 0803-5253
SN  - 1651-2227
ER  -