ABSTRACT

Introduction: The quality of life of children with cerebral palsy and their parents is impaired due to the insufficient and unorganized health care system.

Aim: The aim was to examine the satisfaction of parents of children with cerebral palsy in providing health care.

Materials and methods: In the study 70 participants participated. A survey of the satisfaction of parents of children with cerebral palsy in providing health care was conducted through a questionnaire of 15 questions. The satisfaction of the respondents was expressed through the Likert scale.

Results: No respondent stated that was very satisfied with the way in which diagnostic treatment was used, while 11% were mostly satisfied. Regarding the satisfaction of the speed of arrival for examination of the neuropaediatrician and the physiatrist, most of them were mostly dissatisfied (74%, 82%) and for examination by physiotherapists (87%) and logopedists (94%). No parent expressed satisfaction with this question. When asked about satisfaction with hospital accommodation during of diagnostic procedures (95%) and satisfaction of access to child rights information (74%) mostly of respondents were dissatisfied.

Conclusion: The results indicate a high percentage of dissatisfaction among parents of children with cerebral palsy in providing health care. Also, they indicates that parents lack support in most segments necessary for the common socio-economic functioning of the family. The results contribute to a better understanding of the needs of children with cerebral palsy and indicate the need for significant changes in the care system for children with cerebral palsy.

Key words: cerebral palsy, child, parents, satisfaction, health care