Date of this Version
12-2023
Document Type
DNP Project
Abstract
Primary care providers play a pivotal role in identifying and managing developmental delays in pediatric populations. To achieve proper surveillance and compliance with the recommended plan of care, providers need to collaborate with parents to fulfill this goal. This is especially important in cultural groups that may have barriers hindering proper childhood developmental monitoring, such as in Haitian culture. The objective of this quality improvement project is to identify the perception(s) of childhood development in parents who identify with Haitian heritage, which may bring forth possible barriers that are related to identifying childhood delays and continuation of care once delay(s) are identified. There is a shortage of studies that explore the experiences of this specific group in the black diaspora as it relates to childhood development. There is also a lack of studies on how to increase understanding and foster collaboration among those who identify with this culture, as well as how healthcare practitioners would benefit from addressing these barriers. This quantitative study was conducted in a pediatric primary care setting in South Florida, where 17 parent participants completed a survey on their views of childhood development. Parent participants were of Haitian descent, had a child of age five or younger, and literate in English or Haitian Creole. Findings displayed barriers such as lack of awareness (17.6%), cost (11.8%), fear or discomfort associated with the process of addressing developmental delays (5.9%), lack of healthcare resources (17.6%), lack of time or convenience (5.9%), and personal belief or cultural factors (29.4%) were a present concern for participants. Findings also implicated parents who are supported by a primary care provider, who considers their cultural nuances when delivering care, are more confident in monitoring childhood development, as well as discussing their concerns with their child’s provider.
Recommended Citation
Myrtil, Laurie and Roche, Rosa, "Exploring the Perceptions of Childhood Developmental Delays in Parents of Haitian Heritage in a Pediatric Primary Care Setting: A Quality Improvement Project" (2023). Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing Student Projects. 260.
https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/cnhs-studentprojects/260