A Cross-sectional Survey of Rehabilitation Service Provision for Children with Brain Injury in Selangor, Malaysia

Authors

  • Ee Lin Tay Monash University
  • Chee Piau Wong Perdana University and Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (PU-RCSI) School of Medicine

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5463/dcid.v29i2.750

Keywords:

Availability, accessibility, unequal distribution

Abstract

Purpose: Rehabilitation services in Malaysia are provided by both governmental and non-governmental agencies but there are challenges, such as the lack of integration between agencies, and accessibility barriers to services especially for the population of urban poor and people in the rural areas. With the help of a survey, this project aimed to gain a better understanding of rehabilitation services provided for children with brain injury within the state of Selangor and Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya.

Method: A list of 205 organisations that provide rehabilitation services for children with neurological injuries was compiled. The researchers attempted to verify the services by visiting the facilities or via telephone or email communication if visits were not possible.

Results: The researchers were able to verify 83% of the organisations identified. There are 40 hospitals and 17 service providers for acute and / or chronic physical rehabilitation services for persons with disabilities of all ages, including children.

Conclusion: Findings showed the unequal distribution of rehabilitation service provision by districts. Service providers were concentrated in the urban areas. Setting up new healthcare facilities is one of the solutions but the costs for development, construction, and manpower could be high. An alternative solution is proposed, namely, the use of a home-based virtual rehabilitation programme.

Author Biographies

Ee Lin Tay, Monash University

Ee Lin Tay has recently obtained her Doctor of Philosophy degree from Monash University. She is currently in the transition period before starting the next career phase. She has strong interest in children special needs services and her doctoral research was related to virtual rehabilitation for children with neurological disability. 

Chee Piau Wong, Perdana University and Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (PU-RCSI) School of Medicine

Chee Piau Wong is a Professor of Paediatrics, Consultant Paediatrician and Child Neurologist. He receives his basic medical training in University of Malaya and his post graduate paediatric training in UK with the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) and his doctoral research with Newcastle University. He is currently attached to Perdana University and Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (PU-RCSI) School of Medicine.

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Published

2018-10-02

How to Cite

1.
Tay EL, Wong CP. A Cross-sectional Survey of Rehabilitation Service Provision for Children with Brain Injury in Selangor, Malaysia. DCIDJ [Internet]. 2018 Oct. 2 [cited 2024 Sep. 8];29(2):45-58. Available from: https://dcidj.uog.edu.et/index.php/up-j-dcbrid/article/view/295

Issue

Vol. 29 No. 2 (2018): Summer 2018

Section

Original Research Articles

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Copyright (c) 2018 The Author(s)

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