Foster parents' experiences of using child mental health and welfare services in Norway: Associations with youth, placement, and service characteristics

Marit Larsen,Ragnhild Bjørknes,Trine Myrvold,Kyrre Breivik,Valborg Baste,Stine Lehmann

doi:10.1111/cfs.12773

Marit Larsen, Ragnhild Bjørknes + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1111/cfs.12773

Copy DOI

Abstract

AbstractThe measurement of user experience has gained international attention as a tool for improving quality of care. Because foster families have a high need for service support, we examined quality of care from the foster parent's perspective and associated characteristics. We collected information about type and frequency of service use in the last 2 years and standardized measures of user‐reported experiences and outcomes from foster parents of youths aged 11–18 years in Norway (N = 290). We analysed the data using descriptive statistics, independent samples t‐tests and multiple regressions. Overall, foster parents had positive service experiences, and around half reported improvement in youth condition and function compared with before the service contact. The foster parents gave similar evaluations of child welfare services and specialized mental health services but indicated different strengths and weaknesses of the providers. Younger age, more frequent service contact and less waiting time were associated with positive service experiences, while less mental health problems and fewer years in current foster home were related to positive perceptions of outcomes. Our results indicate focus areas for increasing quality of care from the user perspective, for example, sharing information, cooperation between services, having frequent enough service contact and reducing waiting time.

Highlights

Measures of user experience have increased in public reporting, and there is growing evidence that health officials and clinicians have become more responsive to user reports (Anhang Price et al, 2014)
The foster parents reported positive service experiences, which is in line with findings in the general population that most parents were satisfied with health services provided for their children (Aarons et al, 2010; Bjertnaes et al, 2008; Garland et al, 2007; Turchik et al, 2010)
This is consistent with studies from the United States, which indicated that foster parents experienced problems receiving relevant information from child welfare services (CWS) workers, a lack of continuity of services and difficulties navigating different services (Bass, Shields, & Behrman, 2004; Geiger et al, 2017; Pasztor et al, 2006)

Summary

Introduction

Measures of user experience have increased in public reporting, and there is growing evidence that health officials and clinicians have become more responsive to user reports (Anhang Price et al, 2014). In 2017, health ministers from various Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries highlighted the need for measuring patient-reported experiences and outcomes of care (OECD Health Ministers, 2017). Despite this international trend, we know little about how foster families in Norway and other European countries experience care and perceive the outcomes of the services they receive. The present study examines foster parents' service experiences and perceived outcomes following contact with services in Norway and associations with youth, placement, and service characteristics.

Objectives

Methods

Findings

Conclusion