Affiliations: Department of Physiotherapy, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
Correspondence:
[*]
Corresponding author: Olubukola A. Olaleye, Department of Physiotherapy, College of Medicine (U.C.H.), University of Ibadan, P.M.B. 5017 G.P.O., Dugbe, Ibadan, Nigeria. Tel.: +234 08052145873; 2410088 Ext. 3366; E-mail:oaolaleye@comui.edu.ng
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE: Effective physiotherapy intervention for children with
cerebral palsy (CP) requires that expectations of their caregivers be
incorporated into treatment plans and strategies. This study explored the
perceived Quality of Physiotherapy (QoP) for children with CP in Ibadan,
Nigeria METHODS: This cross-sectional survey explored the perceived QoP
using the SERVQUAL instrument among informal caregivers of children with CP
from two different healthcare facilities. Data was analysed using Mann
Whiney U and Wilcoxon Signed Rank tests at p ≤ 0.05. RESULTS: Fifty-three informal caregivers (50 females, 3 males) of
children with CP (32 males, 21 females) were surveyed. Fourth-fifths
(81.13%) of the caregivers perceived the QoP service for their children
as poor. The highest negative and positive ranks were in the tangible and
responsiveness dimensions of the SERVQUAL respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrated that caregivers of children
with CP perceived the quality of physiotherapy provided for their children
as poor. This poor perception is related more to the tangible dimension of
care. Strategies to improve care environment for children with CP and their
informal caregivers should be implemented to engender satisfaction with
care.
Keywords: Caregivers, cerebral palsy, physiotherapy, perceived service quality
