Caregivers' satisfaction with physiotherapy services at a cerebral palsy clinic in Kampala, Uganda

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The evaluation of satisfaction with health care service provision is important when trying to provide quality care. Satisfaction with service provision has been found to be related to the expectations prior to receiving the service and the actual experience of the service. OBJECTIVES: To explore the expectations and satisfaction that caregivers of children with cerebral palsy havewhen they attend physiotherapy services. Methods: A qualitative study using two focus groups. A semi-structured interview guide was used to facilitate the focus group discussions. Data was collected and thematic analysis was undertaken PARTICIPANTS: Nine caregivers, five mother, three grand mothers and one grandfather, participated in the focus group discussions. SETTING: A cerebral palsy clinic in Kampala, Uganda. Intervention: No intervention but an interview schedule was used to obtain information. RESULTS: The caregivers were satisfied with seeing an improvement in the children's abilities, the outcome of the home programme and the assistive devices. Not all the caregivers were satisfied with the knowledge they had gained and the development of their skills. Caregivers were dissatisfied with regards to communication with the physiotherapists. CONCLUSION: Physiotherapy plays an important role in the improvement of cerebral palsy children's physical abilities and knowledge given to caregivers but physiotherapists need to improve in their communication skills.