Parent perspectives on the assessment of quality of life of their children with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities in the Netherlands.
RESEARCH IN DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES 2023;
139:104536. [PMID:
37269577 DOI:
10.1016/j.ridd.2023.104536]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Assessing Quality of Life (QoL) of persons with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities (PIMD) is challenging, yet QoL plays an important role in medical decision-making processes concerning persons with PIMD. The perspectives of parents of children with PIMD on the assessment of their QoL have not been studied.
AIM
To explore the perspectives of parents on the assessment of QoL of their children.
METHODS
We conducted a qualitative study, forming three focus groups with 22 parents of children with PIMD to explore their views on what is necessary to assess QoL of their children and subsequently, who is best suited to assess QoL.
RESULTS
Parents describe a long-term relationship of the assessor with family (child and parents), with trust as an important aspect, as a requirement to assess QoL. Parents consider family members, preferably the parents themselves as the best assessors of QoL, followed by siblings. Professional caregivers, mostly mentioned by name, are considered the next alternative. Most parents thought that physicians do not know the child well enough to assess their QoL.
CONCLUSIONS
In conclusion, the parents of children with PIMD in our study consider trust and a long-term relationship essential for assessing QoL.
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