02554nam a22001337a 4500001001300000003000400013005001700017008004100034100002100075245005800096520218000154580006402334650002202398D0001J000515DOH20210423112526.0210423b           ||||| |||| 00| 0 eng d1 aAmbat, Ninfa R. 04aThe family with a handicapped child /cNinfa R. Ambat3 aOBJECTIVE: To assist a family in crisis with a handicapped child and understand family psychodynamics and help the index patient undergo reconstructive surgery

DESIGN: Interview to assess family function and problem, and interpretative paradigm with field study

SETTING: Family Health Care Program of the Department of Family Medicine at the De la Salle University Medical Center and residence of family at Barangay Asiongan, Langkaan, Dasmarinas, Cavite.

SUBJECTS: The Medina family, Gil and Beth and their 4 children with the index patient Charmaine, a 6-month old baby with complete, unilateral, left cleft lip and palate

INTERVENTION: Screening and enrolment for the primary care intervention program of the department involving the clinical clerks, residents and consultants were done. Informal family conferences and counseling and nutritional strategy with immunization and cheiloplasty for the index patient were made.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Description of residence of the family, evaluation of family function and release of parental guilt, and improved health, nutritional and immunization status with definitive surgical repair of Charmaines anomaly.

RESULTS: The family lives in small house with clean sorrounding but belonging to the low income group with both parents as high school graduates. The family ultimately cooperated and understood the problem and stopped blaming themselves for their childs condition, and proper feeding method was given the family for Charmaine. There was a decrease in respiratory tract infection of index patient with BCG, DPT and OPV immunization and cheiloplasty using the Milard technique was finally done for Charmaine making her more healthy now.

CONCLUSION: Family-oriented care using family conferences and meetings with counseling help the therapist educate the family and support a more rational view of the needed intervention. Removal of the family stressor in this case the cleft problem of the child ultimately benefits both family and the patient.

Objectives
To assist a family in crisis with a handicapped child and understand family psychodynamics and help the index patient undergo reconstructive surgery  a
The Filipino Family Physician,   1998 36 (2) pages   51-60 2aDisabled Children