[Parents' satisfaction at the birth of a handicapped child following a family intervention].
The aim of this study is to estimate parents' satisfaction following a surgical procedure on their child. This includes support as well as additional information and documentation for the individual parent (cognitive and emotional), conjugal, parental and other family members. The majority of parents are satisfied with the treatment program, realizing that the treatment enables them to adapt to their new situation, that is, as parents of a newborn child suffering from health problems. This support allows them to recognize and talk about their own fears and emotions as well as those of their partner, to be reassured when facing their child's treatment, and to better understand the available resources. The results of the study show that there are significant differences in regards to the sex of the parent, the diagnosis of the child and the level of income. Mothers of children inflicted with Down's syndrome are more emotionally satisfied with the treatment than fathers, and lower income families are more satisfied with the treatment as well as with the sub-system of family health-care than middle and upper-income families. Parents of children with a labial and/or palatine cleft are more satisfied with the treatment in regards to the family plan than parents of children with Down's syndrome. These results raise several questions that, with more profound deliberation on the adequacy of early medical procedures with regards to the parents of children with health problems, shall not be overlooked. Let us highlight the heuristic qualities of this evaluative approach which possess the same relevance as the questionnaires developed in order to assess the families' satisfaction. After modifications, these questionnaires could eventually be used on different clientele as well.
Faculté des sciences infirmières, Université de Montréal.
Diane
D
Pelchat
Hélène
H
Lefebvre
Michelle
M
Proulx
Mary
M
Reidy
D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000451:nursing*; D019988:Children with Disabilities; D018479:Early Intervention, Educational / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D010371:Pediatric Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012737:Sex Factors; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires