Integrated Health And Social Services For Chilren With Disabilities: A Challenge For The Nurse

Abstract

One of the most crucial criteria for the mechanism and maturity of society is its attitude to children and adults with disabilities. The development and implementation of the policies on early childhood are part of the values and policies of all EU countries, including Bulgaria. The aim of the present study is to research and analyse the nurse’s role in the multidisciplinary team in providing integrated health and social services to children with disabilities, as well as in providing professional assistance in a domestic environment. Materials and methods: the opinions of sixty three specialists working in seven social services for children with disabilities in Veliko Turnovo and Svishtov municipalities, and twenty five parents of children with disabilities were polled. Sociological, documentary and statistical methods were used, as well as graphical analysis. The inquiry card has nineteen questions. The questionnaire for parents includes seven open questions. Results and discussion : the data of the poll suggest that 94% of the specialists consider the inclusion of the nurse in the multidisciplinary team to be a guarantee of the service quality. The respondents expect the nurse to have above all skills for teamwork, flexibility, and an aptitude for working with children with disabilities (81%), to be familiar with the specific nature of social work (55%), to train parents and provide mobile services (56%). More than half of the parents want to get professional assistance in a domestic environment. Conclusion: the integrated services for children with disabilities are of great significance for the child, the family and the community. They help children achieve better results, defend human rights, support the families. Joining the forces of all institutions of the health and social area is a major factor in the success and development of integrated health and social services.