Table 3.

Establishing a cause for illness symptoms (n = 23)

Turn design	Parent invited to offer a diagnosis	Parent initiated the offer of a diagnosis	Parent accepted professional judgements	Parent rejected professional judgements
Frequency	30% (n = 7)	18% (n = 4)	26% (n = 6)	26% (n = 6)
Example	Doctor: so what are you your thoughts as to what's going on	Mum: he could have chicken pox he has spots on his legs	Doctor: he looks like he has a virus, we'll do a scan just in case	Doctor: does anyone have coughs, colds tummy bugs
	Mum: well I don't really know but the shunts is a concern	Doctor: it's worth taking a look	Mum: ok yes I think he's virally	Mum: if I thought she had a virus I wouldn't have brought her in