BACKGROUND: Early therapy intervention for children with disabilities may improve functional outcomes. Access to paediatric rehabilitation services can sometimes be difficult. OBJECTIVES: To describe waiting time to receive physical therapy (PT) and occupational therapy (OT) services at rehabilitation centres for young children with physical disabilities; to examine factors associated with these waiting times. DESIGN: Prospective cohort. SUBJECTS: Two hundred and six children with physical disabilities, aged 6 to 72 months, referred in 2002-2004 from the Montreal Children's Hospital and Sainte-Justine Hospital to paediatric rehabilitation centres. MEASURES: Data on date of referral, age, gender and diagnosis were obtained from the hospital databases. Data on date of first PT or OT appointments at the rehabilitation centre, family socio-demographics and disability severity (WeeFIM) were obtained during parental interviews. RESULTS: Half of the sample waited more than 7 and 11 months for PT and OT services, respectively. Shorter waiting time was significantly associated with younger child's age and referral to one particular rehabilitation centre. CONCLUSION: Children with physical disabilities experience long waiting times for PT and OT rehabilitation services. Strategies to improve timely service delivery are needed.
BACKGROUND: Early therapy intervention for children with disabilities may improve functional outcomes. Access to paediatric rehabilitation services can sometimes be difficult. OBJECTIVES: To describe waiting time to receive physical therapy (PT) and occupational therapy (OT) services at rehabilitation centres for young children with physical disabilities; to examine factors associated with these waiting times. DESIGN: Prospective cohort. SUBJECTS: Two hundred and six children with physical disabilities, aged 6 to 72 months, referred in 2002-2004 from the Montreal Children's Hospital and Sainte-Justine Hospital to paediatric rehabilitation centres. MEASURES: Data on date of referral, age, gender and diagnosis were obtained from the hospital databases. Data on date of first PT or OT appointments at the rehabilitation centre, family socio-demographics and disability severity (WeeFIM) were obtained during parental interviews. RESULTS: Half of the sample waited more than 7 and 11 months for PT and OT services, respectively. Shorter waiting time was significantly associated with younger child's age and referral to one particular rehabilitation centre. CONCLUSION:Children with physical disabilities experience long waiting times for PT and OT rehabilitation services. Strategies to improve timely service delivery are needed.
Authors: Niina Kolehmainen; Graeme MacLennan; Laura Ternent; Edward A S Duncan; Eilidh M Duncan; Stephen B Ryan; Lorna McKee; Jill J Francis Journal: Implement Sci Date: 2012-08-16 Impact factor: 7.327
Authors: Katherine E Harding; Jennifer J Watts; Leila Karimi; Mary O'Reilly; Bridie Kent; Michelle Kotis; Sandra G Leggat; Jackie Kearney; Nicholas F Taylor Journal: BMC Health Serv Res Date: 2016-08-09 Impact factor: 2.655