Novita Research Report - 2004 to 2007 - Novita Children's Services

39Project titleContributorsSummaryMethodResultsImplicationsStatusEvaluation of family-centred practice using the measures of process of careMichael Bentley (Flinders University)Novita reference group: Dr Pammi Raghavendra, Sonya Murchland, Sarah Anderson,Jane Loveday, Terry Lyons, Pauline McGregorFamily-centred practice recognises that parents are the ‘experts’ in their child’s care, areequal partners in the rehabilitation process and have the right to determine what is mostimportant for their child. This philosophy of service was formally adopted at Novita in the late1990s. As part of ongoing quality assurance activity and prior to undertaking organisationalchange, Novita undertook to evaluate how ‘family-centred’ it was in providing therapy,equipment and family support services, and to utilise this as a baseline measure for futurecomparisons. The second aim was to identify areas for improvement.The South Australian Community Health Research Unit was contracted to work closely withthe Novita Reference Group and conduct the study, to enable independent data collectionand evaluation. The evaluation used two survey instruments developed by CanChild,Canada. The Measure of Processes of Care (MPOC) is a self-administered questionnairethat measures parents’/caregivers’ perceptions of the extent to which specific behaviours ofNovita staff occur. A sample of 285 families stratified by three age groups of clients (youngerthan six years, six to 12 years and 13 to 18 years) and metropolitan/country places ofresidence were sent the MPOC-20 questionnaire.The Measure of Processes of Care for Service Providers (MPOC-SP) is a 27-item, selfassessmentquestionnaire for staff working in paediatrics, designed to measure theirreported implementation of family-centred practice. 176 Novita staff (including psychologists,occupational therapists, physiotherapists, speech pathologists, rehabilitation engineers,orthotists, managers, senior management, administrative staff and paediatric rehabilitationmedical specialists) who have direct contact with clients and families were sent thequestionnaire.189 parents/caregivers (66%) completed the MPOC-20 questionnaire. 145 service providers(82%) returned the MPOC-SP questionnaire.Parents generally rated the family-centred behaviours of staff as positive. Respectful andSupportive Care received the highest rating, while Providing General Information receivedthe lowest. There were significant differences in scores for all five scales of MPOC betweenmetropolitan and rural families and the age of the child. Service providers also generally ratedtheir family-centred behaviours as positive. There were significant differences amongst theprofessions in areas of Showing Interpersonal Sensitivity and Providing General Information.The areas highlighted in both surveys that might require specific attention (following furtherexploration) were continuity of care and the provision of written (both specific and general)information to families.For clients – providing general information to families about various aspects of disability maybe targeted for service developmentFor services – the outcomes highlight where families perceive Novita is doing well and alsostaff’s perception of their behaviours towards families. It highlights strengths and needs inimplementation of family-centred practice. The results from MPOC-SP may also be useful inprofessional development activities.Completed