Knowledge and satisfaction of caregivers of patients with cleft lip-palate at the Tawanchai Cleft Center.

The Northeast region has the highest rate of cleft lip-palate (CLP) deformities in Thailand. This born handicapped condition leads to complicated problems in many ways. The best treatment is managing the system to have good coordination by an interdisciplinary team that rehabilitate patients' physical and mental conditions so they can recover as well as possible. This study aimed to determine the (1) knowledge of taking care of patients and (2) service satisfaction of caregivers resulting from the development of Tawanchai Cleft Center's nursing care system as a 1-stop coordinating service in 2010. The study included 106 caregivers. We used a questionnaire to assess the knowledge level and the service satisfaction. Most of the patients had left unilateral complete cleft lip and palate (41%). The mother was the caregiver most of them time (68%); 43% had completed primary education, and 40% worked in agriculture. The average knowledge level among caregivers for the specialized care of patients with CLP was a good level ((Equation is included in full-text article.)= 3.71, SD = 0.81). The average knowledge level concerning the cause, the treatment guideline, and treatment by a multidisciplinary team of patients with CLP was a moderate level ((Equation is included in full-text article.)= 3.28, SD = 0.85). The satisfaction of caregivers regarding service at the In- and Out-patient Surgery Department was very good for all items ((Equation is included in full-text article.)= 3.54, SD = 0.54). The one-stop coordination service developed for caregivers neatly fit the needs of CLP patients and resulted in a moderate to good level of knowledge and a very good level of satisfaction regarding the specialized care needed.