Introduction Primary care professionals routinely discuss health issues with children and families, including difficult or taboo topics. Although clinicians want better resources to support these conversations, existing evidence largely reflects health professionals’ perspectives. Aim This study aimed to understand how parents/caregivers/whānau and children want common health messages communicated to them. Methods A qualitative mixed-methods sequential design was used, comprising three stages: (1) an online survey of parents/caregivers of children aged 7–12 years living in Aotearoa New Zealand; (2) interviews with children whose parents opted in for participation; and (3) development of a health professional specific resource. Thematic analysis was applied to open-ended survey responses and interview transcripts. Results Eighty parents/caregivers completed the survey, and 25 children participated in interviews. Three themes were identified: (1) Speak to the child but… highlighting the importance of direct, respectful, and non-judgemental communication; (2) Connection, emphasising rapport, trust, and tailoring information to a child’s developmental level; and (3) Give kids choice, reflecting children’s desire for autonomy, honesty, and involvement in decisions about their care. These findings informed the design of a lanyard-based resource to support health professionals’ communication practices. Discussion Children valued being spoken to directly in ways that respected their understanding and agency, and parents stressed the importance of trust, inclusion, and reinforcement through written or visual aids. The study highlights the need for child and whānau-centred approaches to communication in primary care. Future research will evaluate the resource’s acceptability and effectiveness in real-world settings.
Egli et al. (Thu,) studied this question.