Parent satisfaction with the parent-provider partnership and therapy service delivery for children with disabilities during COVID-19: Associations with sociodemographic variables.

Abstract

Introduction: The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) significantly disrupted therapy service delivery for children with disabilities and their families. Parents of children with disabilities have been particularly impacted as a large degree of responsibility has been placed on them to both manage and deliver therapies remotely. However, little is known regarding whether sociodemographic factors are associated with parents’ perceptions of therapy service delivery during COVID-19. This study explored the relationship between sociodemographic factors and parents’ satisfaction with therapies for children with disabilities during COVID-19. Method: Two hundred seven parents of children with disabilities completed an online survey battery that included the Family-Provider Partnership Scale and sociodemographic characteristics and assessed their satisfaction with their child[ren]’s therapies during COVID-19. Results: Access to telehealth, receipt of only school-based therapies, parent education, number of household essential workers, and total number of children were associated with satisfaction with therapy service and/or the family-provider partnership. Discussion: By better understanding the association between sociodemographic factors and parent perception of therapy service delivery, providers can better support families in optimizing service delivery during the remainder of COVID-19 mitigation efforts and during future periods of service disruption. This study provides insight into the sociodemographic characteristics that are associated with lower levels of satisfaction and thus require more tailored support from providers.

The impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on families of children with medical complexity: A qualitative study of caregivers' experiences

“…During the early phases of the COVID‐19 pandemic, several pediatric populations, including CMC, experienced disruptions in access to medical care, therapeutic supports and special‐education services (Brisca, Vagelli, Tagliarini, Pirlo, et al, 2021; Jeste et al, 2020; Murphy et al, 2023). These populations also experienced increased financial hardships and greater difficulty in family logistics due to cancelled services and increased isolation (Beight et al, 2022).…”

“…As such, these patients experienced a worsening of existing health inequities and risked exacerbation of their existing chronic conditions (Cadwgan et al, 2022). Fortunately, telehealth options, many of which were ultimately determined to be feasible for families and staff, were introduced across many different specialties to allow these families to maintain access to necessary services (Jeste et al, 2020; Lichtenstein et al, 2022; Murphy et al, 2023; Onofri et al, 2021; Peterson et al, 2021).…”