Emine B Bingoler Pekcici1, Ezgi Özalp Akin2, Iclal Ayranci Sucakli3, Gizem Kara Elitok4, Fatma N Onat5, Meltem Kivilcime6, Zeynep Ustunyurt7, Revan Mustafayev2, Ilgi Ozturk Ertem2. 1. Ankara University School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics Division, Ankara, Turkey. aharbingoler@yahoo.com. 2. Ankara University School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics Division, Ankara, Turkey. 3. Ankara Child Health and Diseases, Hematology-Oncology Training and Research Hospital, University of Health Sciences, Ankara, Turkey. 4. Sisli Hamidiye Etfal Training and Research Hospital, University of Health Sciences, Istanbul, Turkey. 5. Sami Ulus Maternity and Children's Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. 6. Behcet Uz Children's Training and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey. 7. Zekai Tahir Burak Women's Health Training and Research Hospital, University of Health Sciences, Ankara, Turkey.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Addressing early childhood development (ECD) and developmental difficulties (DDs) in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) requires applicable and sustainable programs. Seven years after its implementation in 2010, we evaluated the Developmental Pediatrics Unit (DPU) Training Program in pediatric referral centers in Turkey. POPULATION AND METHODS: We applied crosssectional design and quantitative/qualitative methods to assess services, training, research and advocacy of the DPUs. RESULTS: Five of six established DPUs sustained clinical services, training, research, and advocacy. A total of 23,710 children (9085 new cases in 2017) had been referred mainly for perinatal risks and chronic illness, all centers contributed with similar proportions of children. Staff motivation and endurance, hospital administrator support, and client satisfaction facilitated the program; whereas invisibility within the performance based healthcare system was a barrier. CONCLUSIONS: In Turkey and possibly other LMICs, the DPU Training Program is applicable and sustainable if health system barriers are addressed. Sociedad Argentina de Pediatría.
INTRODUCTION: Addressing early childhood development (ECD) and developmental difficulties (DDs) in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) requires applicable and sustainable programs. Seven years after its implementation in 2010, we evaluated the Developmental Pediatrics Unit (DPU) Training Program in pediatric referral centers in Turkey. POPULATION AND METHODS: We applied crosssectional design and quantitative/qualitative methods to assess services, training, research and advocacy of the DPUs. RESULTS: Five of six established DPUs sustained clinical services, training, research, and advocacy. A total of 23,710 children (9085 new cases in 2017) had been referred mainly for perinatal risks and chronic illness, all centers contributed with similar proportions of children. Staff motivation and endurance, hospital administrator support, and client satisfaction facilitated the program; whereas invisibility within the performance based healthcare system was a barrier. CONCLUSIONS: In Turkey and possibly other LMICs, the DPU Training Program is applicable and sustainable if health system barriers are addressed. Sociedad Argentina de Pediatría.
Entities:
Keywords:
child development; disabled children; low income population