Effectiveness of 36 hospital learning centers in Thailand: continuation of child patient education, parent attitudes toward child’s illness and service satisfaction

Adidsuda Fuengfoo,Kim Sakulnum,Sumitra Owjinda

doi:10.12688/f1000research.26599.1

Adidsuda Fuengfoo, Kim Sakulnum + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.26599.1

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Abstract

Background: This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of 36 hospital learning centers for the continued education of sick children using electronic distance learning television (eDLTV), parents’ attitudes toward their child’s illnesses and education, and service satisfaction of the centers. Methods: The sample included 4,430 children aged 4-18 years old with common illnesses, chronic illnesses and developmental disorders, as well as 4,430 parents who had taken care of the child for at least 6 months. The methods included attitude surveys, which were analyzed using chi-square tests and t-tests. Results: The factors associated with education continuation of the children were illness types (parents were less worried about children with common illness and more concerned about education of children with chronic diseases and children with disabilities), distance from home to school, transportation type, parents’ education level, marital status, and family income. About 99.8% of patients with common illnesses continued their education, followed by 99.3% of disabled children, and 95.9% of chronic patients. Satisfaction score towards the services at the learning centers were high (mean scores: 4.28 and 4.43 respectively, out of 5 = strongly satisfied). Conclusion: After completing an education program through eDLTV at a center, a total of 97.7% of children continued their education and were highly satisfied with the service at the center. Parents had positive attitudes towards their child’s illnesses and education.

Highlights

As a crucial foundation for development, education should be accessible to all children, regardless of differences in social or physical status
Caregiver information The patient population was classified into three groups: those with common illnesses, chronic illnesses, and developmental disorders (n=4,430)
There were a total of 4,430 caregivers: 82.94% were caregivers for patients with common illnesses, 82.68% chronic illnesses, and 72.34% developmental disorders

Summary

Introduction

As a crucial foundation for development, education should be accessible to all children, regardless of differences in social or physical status. In Thailand, the number is still unclear because chronic illness is defined as a long-term illness involving treatments that might affect the lifestyles of children and families[4,5,6]. Such changes can include absence from school, which could affect learning and social activities[7,8]. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of 36 hospital learning centers for the continued education of sick children using electronic distance learning television (eDLTV), parents’ attitudes toward their child’s illnesses and education, and service satisfaction of the centers. Parents had positive attitudes towards their child’s illnesses and education

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Discussion

Conclusion