Open-access community child health clinics

Abstract

In Australia, Community Child Health Services (CCHS) is the primary health care service which seeks to strengthen and support families, prevent illness and manage risks. Several nursing models of care exist within CCHS, and limited research has investigated which is the best way to provide child health surveillance and parenting support during the early years. This study qualitatively explored the everyday lived experience of parents and child health nurses involved with an open-access (appointment-free, parent-led) group child health surveillance clinic. Findings showed that participants considered the open-access clinic provided a helpful and supportive way of delivering child health surveillance and parental support to families with infants aged 0-18 months, without identified risk factors. The perspectives of multiple parents, nurses and other health workers found it effective, flexible and parent-directed, which may be in contrast to some traditional individual appointment child health surveillance methods.