Teachers' concerns about chronically sick children: implications for paediatricians

Abstract

147 experienced teachers completed a questionnaire concerning their knowledge of and attitudes toward chronic childhood disease. On the whole, their knowledge of the causes and treatments involved was rudimentary. Teachers were especially concerned that they did not know how to deal with medical emergencies in the classroom, and about the repercussions for other children. The results identify the type of information teachers feel they most need in order to teach sick children, and should increase awareness among paediatricians of how difficulties in school can arise.