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Table 3 Main themes

From: Parents’ concerns and beliefs about temperature measurement in children: a qualitative study

Themes

Subthemes

 

The importance of temperature measurement to parents

Diagnosis of (high) fever

Indication for action

Situation-specific value and cost

 

Parents’ use and interpretation of results

Accuracy of readings

Interpretation of numerical values

Definition of accuracy

Anxiety about usage

Indication for action

Monitoring response to treatment

Thresholds for a “bad” / high fever

Sources of advice

Family and social networks

Books and the internet

Medical professionals and resources

Advice about fever

Advice about thermometers and temperature measurement

Home use patterns and parental experience

Parental factors influencing use of thermometers

Motivation for healthcare consultations