Dorothy A Whyte

Parental responses to health care services for children with chronic conditions and their families: a comparison between Hong Kong and Scotland

Families caring for a chronically-ill child are known to experience a significant degree of stress that often is not fully understood by health professionals. The purpose of this study was to examine, cross culturally, the experience of families caring for children with chronic conditions both in terms of the impact on their lives and the nature of the support received. The responsibility of caring for a child with a chronic condition had considerable impact on family life in both groups, with the disturbance to harmony possibly being felt more keenly in the Hong Kong group. Effective communication with parents was seen in both countries as key for effective practice. Expectations of health services differed between cultures. Implications can be drawn for the design of future health services addressing the specific health needs of families with children with chronic illness.

Family Nursing in Scotland

The purpose of the article is to trace the development of family nursing in Scotland and to describe the work of the Family Nursing Network Scotland (FNNS) since its inception in 1997. Although the origins of the early work are in child health nursing, the Network aims to support family nursing research, education, and practice across all areas of the discipline. Original research provided the impetus for an examination of family nursing in Scotland. Recent research has focused on the preparation of nursing students in Scotland for family nursing practice. Initiatives by the FNNS have raised awareness and encouraged the practice of family nursing. Future goals for the development of family nursing in Scotland are discussed.

Assisted reproduction: Setting the limits?

This paper comprises an examination of the issues involved in the debate on assisted reproduction. The authors consider the topic from opposing viewpoints. One is favourably inclined towards such treatment, drawing on sociological, psychological, and ethical evidence to support the argument; the other questions the outcome of offering this form of care and argues against the application of the utilitarian ethic.