Desenvolvimento e implementação de um programa de intervenção com abordagem centrada na família e educação em saúde no centro especializado em reabilitação de Santa Cruz-RN

Abstract

Introduction: The Family-Centered Care (FCC) stands out as an effective method in the intervention of children with disabilities or at risk for developmental delays. In this type of intervention, the family is considered an active part of the care process, becoming an integral part of the team. This approach emphasizes the partnership between parents and health professionals, optimizing therapy. Objectives: To develop and implement an FCC program for health professionals and families of children with disabilities or developmental delays. Methodology: This is a qualitative-quantitative study that seeks to understand the feasibility of implementing the Family-Centered Approach within professional clinical practice. It was conducted at the Specialized Rehabilitation Center (CER) of Santa Cruz - RN, following approval by the Ethics and Research Committee (CEP) of UFRN/Facisa. Participants included physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and speech therapists working with children with motor disabilities, as well as families of children with motor developmental delays. These participants were involved in intervention workshops and selected based on inclusion criteria for professionals (working with children and youth with motor disabilities; certified training in Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, or Speech Therapy; understanding and agreeing to implement the study’s proposed changes during the FCC program) and parents/caregivers (being a parent/caregiver of children at risk for developmental delays or with motor disabilities; signing a commitment contract for activities and routine changes proposed during the implementation workshops). All participants signed an informed consent form and an authorization for voice recording and photo/video documentation. Data collection included questionnaires, interviews, journals, and evaluations. The intervention consisted of workshops facilitated by an FCC specialist, with qualitative and quantitative data analysis, followed by a post-intervention evaluation. Results: Initially, the study included seven professionals, five physiotherapists and two occupational therapists, all female, experienced in pediatric healthcare, aged 30-39 years. Participants reported high satisfaction with the intervention format and a willingness to change their clinical practice. Three children with motor developmental delays and their families also participated: one enrolled in early childhood education and two not attending school. Two children were female, and one was male, aged between 0 and 2 years. In Case 1, the performance of the first goal improved from 7 to 9, and satisfaction increased from 6 to 9. For the second goal, performance improved from 7 to 9, and satisfaction rose from 6 to 9. In Case 2, the performance of the first goal improved from 3 to 8, with satisfaction increasing from 5 to 8. For the second goal, performance and satisfaction remained at 2 and 3, respectively. In Case 3, the performance of the first goal increased from 5 to 10, and satisfaction rose from 3 to 10. For the second goal, performance improved from 6 to 10, and satisfaction increased from 5 to 10. Conclusion: The study demonstrated that pediatric rehabilitation professionals enhanced their knowledge of FCC concepts and successfully applied them in their clinical practice, making the rehabilitation process more accurate, effective, and aligned with family-established goals. Additionally, families participating in the study showed good acceptance of FCC, incorporating what was discussed during the intervention weeks into their family context, enabling children to acquire new motor skills.