Perceptions of physiotherapists and caregivers in Saudi Arabia regarding family-centred services provided by paediatric physiotherapy clinics

Abstract

Background and Aims: Family-centred care (FCC) is globally acknowledged as a leading practice model in paediatric rehabilitation. However, there is limited evidence available on its practice in Saudi Arabia. The study aimed to explore the perceptions of caregivers and physiotherapists regarding family-centered services (FCS) offered in paediatric physiotherapy clinics within four major hospitals in Riyadh. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive design was utilised. Data were gathered using validated Arabic versions of the 20-item Measure of Processes of Care (MPOC-20) for caregivers and the 27-item Measure of Processes of Care for Service Providers (MPOC-SP) for physiotherapists. The participants were 128 caregivers of children with disabilities and 14 paediatric physiotherapists. Descriptive statistics are provided along with a multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) to assess the impact of workload and independent samples t-tests to compare perceptions between the caregivers and physiotherapists. Results: Caregivers scored Respectful and Supportive Care as the highest factor, followed by Enabling and Participation and then Coordinated and Comprehensive Care. The lowest score was found for Providing Specific Information with Providing General Information being the second lowest, highlighting notable communication gaps. Caregivers in low-workload centres reported significantly higher Enabling and Participation and Providing General Information, while physiotherapists did not report workload-related differences in their practices according to workload. When comparing viewpoints, both groups rated Respectful and Supportive Care similarly, but a significant disparity was noted in the Provision of Specific Information, with physiotherapists rating this area as much higher than the caregivers did. Conclusion: Paediatric physiotherapy clinics in Riyadh exhibited a strong basis for FCC in interpersonal care. However, there were still gaps in information provision and alignment between the caregivers and providers. Addressing workload distribution, enhancing structured communication tools and investing in education for both staff and families are crucial strategies to improve FCC in Saudi paediatric rehabilitation.

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