Table 2B.

Facilitators to optimal and empowering interactions and parent–professional relationships between fathers of children with disabilities and HCPs.

Theme n = number of utterances % of Facilitators	Subtheme	Description	Father's utterances n (% of total)	HCPs' utterances n (% of total)	Total utterances n (% of Theme)
Factors related to fathers N = 29 48.3%	Engagement	Father who is engaged and involved in child's care and healthcare.	0 (0)	5 (100)	5 (17.2)
	Ability to see the overall picture and practicality	Father who can see the overall picture and be practical with solutions, innovative.	0 (0)	5 (100)	5 (17.2)
	Acceptance	Father who accepts the child's conditions and challenges.	1 (25.0)	3 (75.0)	4 (13.7)
	Knowledge of the child's condition, medical history	Father who had a good understanding and awareness of the child's condition, medical history and child's needs.	0 (0)	4 (100)	4 (13.7)
	Personality	Helpful personality traits (e.g., advocacy, perseverance, authority).	2 (66.7)	1 (33.3)	3 (10.3)
	Responsibilities sharing	Father who is sharing responsibilities with partner (cultural shift in traditionally set roles).	0 (0)	2 (100)	2 (6.8)
	Ability to prioritize	Father who is able to prioritize needs.	0 (0)	2 (100)	2 (6.8)
	Openness to learn	Father who is open to learn.	1 (50.0)	1 (50.0)	2 (6.8)
	Ability share feelings	Father who is able to open up and share feelings, talk about issues.	0 (0)	1 (100)	1 (3.4)
	Working conditions	Employer who understands father's situation and is flexible, allowing father to be involved in child's healthcare needs.	1 (100)	0 (0)	1 (3.4)
	Total		5 (17.2)	24 (82.7)	29 (100)
Factors related to HCPs N = 23 38.3%	Providing explanations	HCP who is providing explanations during interactions with fathers of children with disabilities.	4 (100)	0 (0)	4 (16.6)
	Taking their time in the interactions	HCP who is taking their time during interactions with fathers and do not “rush the appointment.”	1 (25.0)	3 (75.0)	4 (16.6)
	Using family-centered care approach	HCP who is using a family-centered approach, where the needs of all family members are heard and considered, where both parents are treated equally.	3 (75.0)	1 (25.0)	4 (16.6)
	Level of experience (novice vs. seasoned)	HCP with more years of experience in the field of childhood disability.	0 (0)	3 (100)	3 (12.5)
	Having the intent to involve fathers	HCP with intent to involve fathers of children with disability into assessment, treatment plan and/or follow-up.	0 (0)	2 (100)	2 (8.3)
	Reporting improvements, focus on positive aspects	HCP who is not solely focusing on disability and challenges, but who also report on positive aspects and improvements.	1 (50.0)	1 (50.0)	2 (8.3)
	Advocating for family's needs	HCP who is acting as an advocate for the family and the child.	2 (100)	0 (0)	2 (8.3)
	Grabbing the opportunity when father shows interest	HCP who can detect father's interest and take the opportunity to involve them as soon as possible.	0 (0)	1 (100)	1 (4.1)
	Engaging fathers	HCP who is engaging fathers as much as possible.	1 (100)	0 (0)	1 (4.1)
	Having a positive father role model	HCP who themselves have had a positive father role model in their life.	1 (100)	0 (0)	1 (4.1)
	Total		13 (54.2)	11 (45.8)	24 (100)
Communication strategies N = 4 6.6%	Everyday examples	Using examples from everyday life to describe complex situations.	0 (0)	1 (100)	1 (25.0)
	Visual supports	Using visual supports in interactions that require deep understanding and lots of explanation.	0 (0)	1 (100)	1 (25.0)
	Humor	Using humor during interactions, where appropriate.	0 (0)	1 (100)	1 (25.0)
	Concreteness	Emphasizing how a father can help via concrete and clear suggestions and explanations why it is helpful.	0 (0)	1 (100)	1 (25.0)
	Total		0 (0)	4 (100)	4 (100)
Long lasting relationship with the same HCP N = 1 1.6%	-	Refers to having a long-lasting parent-professional relationship with the same HCP.	1 (100)	0 (0)	1(100)
	Total		1 (100)	0 (0)	1 (100)
Follow-up N = 1 1.6%	-	Refers to following up with fathers if they are absent from the medical visit in relation to their child's care.	0 (0)	1 (100)	1 (100)
	Total		0 (0)	1 (100)	1 (100)
Accommodating father's schedule N = 1 1.6%	-	Refers to accommodating father's schedule in the attempt to have them present during healthcare visits.	0 (0)	1 (100)	1 (100)
	Total		0 (0)	1 (100)	1 (100)
	Grand Total		19 (31.7)	41 (68.3)	60 (100)