Problems with Access to Services for Orofacial Clefts Patients

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Cleft lip and Cleft Palate are handled by a complex multidisciplinary team, therefore, identifying the patients’ problems regarding the accessibility of services is important.

Methods: A descriptive study on finding problems in accessing services in an integrative clinic of patients with an Orofacial Cleft from a sample of 120. A questionnaire developed were used: 1) 13 general data, 2) 33 problems before and during the service, and 3) other problems. Giving each patient/caregiver a response time of 15 minutes. Quantitative data were analyzed using percentage statistics, and content analysis were qualitative data.

Results: Most of the patients were male, aged 0-5 years, and had the right to Thailand’s universal health coverage at 55%, 34.2, and 79.2, respectively. Most of the parents were female, aged 41-50 years, completed secondary education and received assistance from the Tawanchai Foundation, 82.5%, 33.9, 35.8, and 66.7, respectively. 42.5% said the problem they had before receiving the service was the treatment location was far from home. And 32.5% didn’t know Tawanchai Center existed. The problems they faced during the service are they do not have enough money to travel. Not enough parking and had to wait for longtime in order to receive the services and treatments, these problems made up 25.8%, 23.3%, and 12.5%, respectively.

Conclusion: The problem with receiving services is that the treatment facility is far from home, the patients and their caregivers don’t have money to travel to the center, a long waiting time, and insufficient parking space. The center must develop and manage a fast service, and support the travel expenses for continuous follow-up treatment.