Caregiver and patient reported outcomes after repair of cleft lip and/or palate in the Philippines.
OBJECTIVE
To establish the feasibility of conducting outcomes research among patients treated during a medical mission and to identify the salient outcomes for patients and caregivers in one region of the Philippines.


METHODS
Prospective structured interview conducted in or near participants' homes on the island of Cebu, Philippines.


METHODS
Individuals who had surgery at least 6 months earlier within the study region were eligible. Recipients of surgery were located from surgical records and by word of mouth.


METHODS
(1) Proportion of individuals located. (2) Primary outcomes of oral cleft repair identified for the sample.


RESULTS
Of 99 people on a surgical list, 52 (53%) were located, eight were excluded (ineligible, unavailable, or inaccessible), and 44 agreed to participate in the study. Ten participants were identified via word of mouth. Seventy-five interviews were conducted (21 caregiver-patient pairs, one adolescent, and 32 caregivers of a child <7 years). Nearly all participants (99%) would encourage others to pursue surgery. Open-ended questions were coded to identify primary outcomes: improved speech (52%), improved eating (25%), social benefits (14%), and improved appearance (6%). Caregivers (50%) and patients (68%) reported that improved speech was the most important change after surgery.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients and caregivers ascribe positive changes related to cleft surgery. Outcomes research requires cooperation with local professionals who can communicate effectively. These data serve to demonstrate feasibility and as a model for future studies of treatment outcomes in follow-up to international medical missions.
Sharp
Helen M
HM
Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology, Western Michigan University, 1903 West Michigan Avenue, Kalamazoo, MI 49008, USA.
Canady
John W
JW
Ligot
Fernando A C
FA
Hague
Rebecca A
RA
Gutierrez
Johcille
J
Gutierrez
Johnny
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002971:Cleft Lip / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery*; D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery*; D004435:Eating / Q000502:physiology; D004955:Esthetics, Dental; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008493:Medical Missions; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010679:Philippines; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012917:Social Adjustment; D013060:Speech / Q000502:physiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome