Table 1 Codes, categories, and themes

1

Description of paediatric rheumatic diseases

1. 1. 1. 1. Adequate understanding of the disease by professionals

Variable understanding of paediatric rheumatic diseases

○ Described as autoimmune condition

○ Affects joints and musculoskeletal system

○ Chronic in nature

Professional’s perception of HCWs knowledge levels

2. 1. 1. 1. Limited knowledge of the disease among HCWs and the public.

○ Inadequate knowledge of paediatric rheumatic diseases

○ Misunderstanding of rheumatological disorders

○ Misunderstanding of age groups affected

2

HCWs perception towards management

1. 1. Late diagnosis and poor disease management

Interplay between lack of knowledge and health system factors contributes to late diagnoses and management

○ Variation in symptoms

○ Understanding symptoms

2. 1. 1. Health systems factors are a barrier to early diagnosis

○ Missed symptoms

○ Symptom management

○ Unclear referrals

○ Lack of clinical pathways 1.

○ Referred on to others HCWs feeling inadequate

3

Attitudes of HCWs towards PRDs

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. Both negative and positive attitudes reported.

Complexity and chronicity of the disease influenced HCW attitudes

○ Healthcare workers felt frustrated

○ Healthcare workers felt frightened and immobilized

○ Paediatric rheumatic diseases are complex, uncommon, not well known

○ Complexity of the diseases leads HCW to look up answers