Accessibility of advanced seating services in a Western Cape setting : a qualitative exploration of the experiences of carers of children with cerebral palsy

Date
2019-12
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH SUMMARY : Background: It is important for health professionals to understand the experiences of carers of children with cerebral palsy (CP) when accessing health care. Understanding their experiences might help providers to make services more accessible. Aim of the study: To explore the experiences of carers of children with CP (GMFCS IV/V), around the accessibility of advanced seating services at a tertiary healthcare facility in the Western Cape. Methods: This study implemented an exploratory, qualitative research design. Of the study population consisting of 62 carers of children with severe CP, seven carers were purposively sampled and interviewed. Thematic analysis with an inductive reasoning process was used to analyse and generate themes from the semi-structured interviews that were conducted. Findings: Carers experienced a great deal of stress around accessing the tertiary healthcare facility for the seating appointment. Four themes were generated: (1) A strenuous experience, (2) Transport, (3) The child and the buggy, and (4) Facilitators to access. Conclusion: Carers encountered barriers, such as transport, that limited access to the tertiary healthcare facility to attend the advanced seating clinic. Service providers need to take cognisance of the challenges that posture support devices pose to using public transport when prescribing a posture support wheelchair. Service providers should consider decentralizing seating services. There is room for improvement of the current public transport systems to be more inclusive for carers, their children with CP and their posture support wheelchairs by enacting legislation in the Western Cape.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING : Agtergrond: Dit is belangrik dat gesondheidswerkers die ervarings van versorgers van kinders met serebrale verlamming (SV) rondom toeganklikheid van gesondheidsfasiliteite verstaan. Begrip vir hulle ervarings mag diensverskaffers help om dienste meer toeganklik te maak. Doel van studie: Om die ondervindinge van versorgers van kinders met SV (GMFCS IV/V), in verband met die toeganklikheid van gevorderde rolstoel posisioneringsdienste by ‘n tersiêre gesondheidsfasiliteit in die Wes-Kaap te ondersoek. Metodes: Hierdie studie het ‘n verkennende, kwalitatiewe studie ontwerp geimplementeer. Van die studie populasie wat bestaan uit 62 versorgers van kinders met erge SV, is sewe versorgers doelbewus geselekteer en geonderhoud. Tematiese ontledingstrategie met ‘n induktiewe redenasie proses was gebruik om temas te analiseer en genereer van die semi-gestruktureerde onderhoude wat gedoen is. Bevindinge: Die versorgers het baie stres ondervind om afsprake vir gevorderde rolstoel aanpassingsdienste na te kom. Vier temas is uitgelig: (1) ‘n Stresvolle ervaring, (2) Vervoer, (3) Die kind en die ‘buggy’ en (4) Toeganklikheids fasiliteerders. Gevolgtrekking: Versorgers het hindernisse, soos vervoer, ondervind wat toegang tot die tersiêre gesondheidsfasiliteit vir gevorderde rolstoel posisioneringsdienste beperk het. Diens-verskaffers moet bewus gemaak word van en moet die uitdagings wat postuurondersteunende rolstoele inhou vir die gebruik van publieke vervoer in ag neem, wanneer hulle postuur-ondersteunende rolstoele voorskryf. Diens-verskaffers moet dit oorweeg om rolstoel posisioneringsdienste te desentraliseer. Publieke vervoerdienste moet verbeter word en om dit meer inklusief te maak vir gebruikers van postuurondersteunende rolstoele en hulle versorgers deur die implementasie van bestaande wetgewing in die Wes-Kaap.
Description
Thesis (MHumanRehabSt)--Stellenbosch University, 2019.
Keywords
Children with cerebral palsy -- Services for -- Western Cape (South Africa), Health services accessibility -- Western Cape (South Africa), Children with cerebral palsy -- Transportation -- Western Cape (South Africa), UCTD
Citation