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Parental pressure for tonsillectomy: attitudes and knowledge of parents accompanying their children to an ear, nose and throat clinic

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 July 2009

Clive G. Long  and
Derek H. Smith
Clive G. Long*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Walsgrave Hospital, Coventry
Derek H. Smith
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Walsgrave Hospital, Coventry
*
1 Address for correspondence: Clive G. Long, Department of Psychology, Walsgrave Hospital, Clifford Bridge Road, Coventry.
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Synopsis

The parents of 120 children referred for possible tonsillectomy to an ear, nose and throat (ENT) surgeon were studied. There was no evidence that a desire for the operation fulfilled ‘psychological needs’ for parents or was a means of coping with a ‘deviant’ child. Parents favouring tonsillectomy were less well informed, and the educational role of the general practitioner in reducing the small number of those who inappropriately pressurize medical services is highlighted.

Type
Preliminary Communication
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 15 , Issue 3 , August 1985 , pp. 689 - 693
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1985

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References

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