Agreement between Mothers of Children with Cerebral Palsy and the Children’s Physical Therapists Regarding Treatment Programs in Saudi Arabia
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- Category: Vol. 83, September 2015
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Agreement between Mothers of Children with Cerebral Palsy and the Children’s Physical Therapists Regarding Treatment Programs in Saudi Arabia, REEM M.
AL-WHAIBI
Abstract
Background: Several studies have emphasized the impor-tance of family involvement for rehabilitation outcomes. Programs designed by physical therapists rely on family support when evaluating, planning, and implementing programs for children.
Aim: This study aimed to investigate the agreement between physical therapists and mothers of children with cerebral palsy (CP) about the treatment programs given to their children.
Design: A survey design was used to obtain information about the mothers’ and physical therapists’ perspectives on the children’s care.
Setting: Data was collected from three rehabilitation centers in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Population: Mothers of children with CP and the treating physical therapists comprised the study population. We sampled 150 mothers (mean age 28.6±5.3 years) and 150 physical therapists (25.8±4.6 years) who were working with their children.
Method: A questionnaire consisting of six open-ended questions was used to investigate the knowledge, expectations, perceived effectiveness and appropriateness of the treatment programs used with the children.
Results: A significant level of agreement was noted between the mothers and the physical therapists regarding the appropriateness of the treatment used. However, agreement was not significant regarding children’s health, knowledge, expectations, additional rehabilitation programs needed and the effectiveness of the treatment given.
Conclusion: Mothers’ knowledge about their child’s condition and their opinions and expectation of the treatment should be considered when planning and implementing a treatment program for children with CP.
Clinical Rehabilitation Impact: Effective communication between therapist and parents is an essential part of the therapeutic relationship that may help maximize outcomes.