Working with parents - a community doctor's approach

Abstract

Traditionally, in Malta, the handicapped child has been treated medically by the hospital doctor in the hospital and by the general practitioner. In the absence of highly developed community medical services, follow -up of handicapped children is usually either hospital-based or non-existent. Too often the pattern for the handicapped child is of non - attendance at the Children's Outpatient Department for follow-up appointments. The lack of any Social Workers or Health Visitors in Karen Grech Hospital means that there is no - one to follow - up any child who does not attend for a hospital appointment. We need to find out why they did not attend and whether perhaps the reason is that the family are not coping with some psychological or social problem.