PhD Conferral Mrs. drs. Kirsten K.B. Peetoom

Keywords: Children, fever, daycare center, consultation center, educational materials

“Fever management in children under 4 years in childcare centers and well-child clinics”

This dissertation maps out options for improving the handling of a child with fever at the daycare center and the childcare center. The dissertation first contains an extensive needs assessment among general practitioners, doctors and nurses at the consultation office and teachers at the day care center. Next, the development of educational materials for teachers at the day care center is described based on this needs assessment. The purpose of these educational materials is to support daycare workers in the decision-making process regarding children with fever. The effect of this has been evaluated at 18 locations of a large daycare center in South Limburg. At the 9 locations that worked with the materials, we saw an increase in knowledge, self-confidence and an improvement in their attitude and risk perception with regard to fever compared to the locations without materials. The educational materials have not led to a lower absence due to illness.