'Do I, don't I ask for help?': The perpetual dilemma of parents whose children are ill at home

Every parent of a young child has struggled with the dilemma of whether or not their child’s illness is serious enough to call the doctor when their child is ill. It is a situation they often face during the months and years as their child’s immune system matures. There are multiple concerns for parents, which are hidden in this apparently simple dilemma. Core concerns include how parents can determine whether their child’s illness is serious enough to seek help from medical staff and where can parents get information about their child’s symptoms that might help them to decide?