title: Tawanchai Cleft Center quality of life outcomes: one of studies of patients with cleft lip and palate in Thailand and the Asia Pacific Region.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The needs and quality of life (QOL) of children with cleft lip and palate (CLP) after being processed through the healthcare system are important in order to understand how to improve the standards of care. The Tawanchai Cleft Center of Thailand in collaboration with Cleft Lip and Palate Care Center of the Asia Pacific Region, conducted a number of studies on various aspects of treatment outcomes as an indication of its performance. This paper presents the outcome effects on QOL.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine (a) the QOL of children with CLP in Northeast Thailand registered and followed-up at the Tawanchai Centre, (b) their ongoing care needs and (c) the mental health of their parents when the children reach 5 years of age.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using the Need, Satisfaction, QOL and GHQ-12 questionnaires, the authors evaluated 36 five-year-old children with CLP, living in Northeast Thailand, registered at birth for treatment at the Tawanchai Cleft Center.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The aspects most needing attention were: dental, speech therapy and local healthcare service. The QOL was low in the economic, child relationships and psychological domains. The parents need more training on how to raise children with CLP most appropriately. According to the GHQ-12, none of the families identified any mental problems.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Children with CLP at five years of age under the care of the Tawanchai Cleft Center by their own self-assessment have satisfactory outcomes in most domains. Notwithstanding, there is need to improve parent training and access to dental care, speech therapy and local healthcare services.
authors: Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand. nirpat@kku.ac.th
authors: Niramol
authors: N
authors: Patjanasoontorn
authors: Suteera
authors: S
authors: Pradaubwong
authors: Somchit
authors: S
authors: Rongbutsri
authors: Siriporn
authors: S
authors: Mongkholthawornchai
authors: Bowornsilp
authors: B
authors: Chowchuen
mesh_terms: D001208:Asia; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002971:Cleft Lip / Q000628:therapy*; D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000628:therapy*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006268:Health Facilities; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013785:Thailand