Current Status of Pediatric Rehabilitation Services for Children with Disabilities

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To survey the current status of rehabilitation programs for disabled children in Korea. METHOD: Questionnaires were distributed to hospitals and rehabilitation centers around the country which provides pediatric rehabilitation services to disabled children. Questions included the number of physiatrists, therapists specialized in managing children, frequency and duration of therapeutic session, waiting period required to receive the therapy, and burden of costs, etc. RESULTS: Survey found 2.2 mean number of physiatrists in 45 hospitals and only one rehabilitation center had full time physiatrist among 21 rehabilitation centers. These institutions had mean number of 2.3 physical therapists, 1.4 occupational therapists, and 1.1 speech therapists. According to parents, these children received average of 16 times of therapeutic sessions in a month. For most of patients, they had to wait 6.8 months to start the physical therapy, 9.4 months for occupational therapy, and 13.8 months for speech therapy. The whole cost of receiving the treatment was found to be 586,000 won in a month. CONCLUSION: Survey found the medical health system and human resources related to pediatric rehabilitation were not enough and they have to be supported to satisfy the needs of appropriate pediatric rehabilitation program around the country.