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Waiserberg N1, Feder-Bubis P1
1Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Department of Health Systems Management, School of Public Health, Beer Sheve, Israel
Background: According to Israel´s National Health Insurance Law (1994), the Ministry of Health is responsible for the provision of health services in the country including physical therapy (PT) services; moreover, the Special Education Law (1988), stipulates that PT services for children with motor disabilities, as well as other allied health services, are provided by the Ministry of Education in educational settings. Thus, children with motor disabilities are entitled PT services under two different laws by two different ministries.
Purpose: To map the PT services for children with motor disabilities in Israel and to examine the professional challenges and opportunities in supplying PT services to these children.
Methods: A qualitative study including in-depth semi-structured interviews with 10 main key-persons and policy makers at the health and education ministries. The interviews were transcribed and a thematic analysis was conducted. Study trustworthiness was ensured using the constant comparison method, peer debriefing, reflexivity and audit.
Results: Despite the regulation of PT services for children with motor disabilities, uncertainty and lack of knowledge were found about various issues, generally taken for granted. Therefore, the thematic analysis is structured around four descriptive questions: Who is eligible for PT treatment and who receives treatment? Notwithstanding full agreement regarding eligibility for PT treatment, we found there is no clear policy and no certainty regarding the supply and funding of treatments. What intervention do children with motor disabilities receive? The interviews indicate that children do not receive PT treatment according to their needs, as stipulated by both Laws. Where do the children receive physical therapy? Numerous pediatric physical therapy suppliers were pointed out in the interviews, within the health and education public sectors, as well as various providers in the private sector. Who provides therapy for children with motor disabilities? In addition to physical therapists, other professionals (such as occupational therapists), non-professionals (such as "developmental coaches"), and other non-physical therapists (such as art therapists) provide treatments that include core PT skills in their practice with children with motor disabilities.
Conclusion(s): Despite the clear regulation regarding the provision of PT services for children with motor disabilities, keypersons were dubious regarding its implementation, thus questioning these children receive PT services according to their needs. The abundance of suppliers does not necessarily improve the quality of services provided to children with motor disabilities, which may ultimately harm their developmental potential. The absence of a uniform and clear implementation policy alongside external threats, may hinder the professional development of physical therapists.
Implications: In order to provide the appropriate physical therapy intervention for children with motor disabilities, it is imperative to ensure that the children are provided with the needed PT and that they make the most of their legal rights. External factors that erode the boundaries of PT may threat its continued existence and roles.
Keywords: Pediatric physical therapy, Children with motor disabilities, Physical therapy services utilization
Funding acknowledgements: NIHP- The Israel National Institute for Health Policy Research.
Purpose: To map the PT services for children with motor disabilities in Israel and to examine the professional challenges and opportunities in supplying PT services to these children.
Methods: A qualitative study including in-depth semi-structured interviews with 10 main key-persons and policy makers at the health and education ministries. The interviews were transcribed and a thematic analysis was conducted. Study trustworthiness was ensured using the constant comparison method, peer debriefing, reflexivity and audit.
Results: Despite the regulation of PT services for children with motor disabilities, uncertainty and lack of knowledge were found about various issues, generally taken for granted. Therefore, the thematic analysis is structured around four descriptive questions: Who is eligible for PT treatment and who receives treatment? Notwithstanding full agreement regarding eligibility for PT treatment, we found there is no clear policy and no certainty regarding the supply and funding of treatments. What intervention do children with motor disabilities receive? The interviews indicate that children do not receive PT treatment according to their needs, as stipulated by both Laws. Where do the children receive physical therapy? Numerous pediatric physical therapy suppliers were pointed out in the interviews, within the health and education public sectors, as well as various providers in the private sector. Who provides therapy for children with motor disabilities? In addition to physical therapists, other professionals (such as occupational therapists), non-professionals (such as "developmental coaches"), and other non-physical therapists (such as art therapists) provide treatments that include core PT skills in their practice with children with motor disabilities.
Conclusion(s): Despite the clear regulation regarding the provision of PT services for children with motor disabilities, keypersons were dubious regarding its implementation, thus questioning these children receive PT services according to their needs. The abundance of suppliers does not necessarily improve the quality of services provided to children with motor disabilities, which may ultimately harm their developmental potential. The absence of a uniform and clear implementation policy alongside external threats, may hinder the professional development of physical therapists.
Implications: In order to provide the appropriate physical therapy intervention for children with motor disabilities, it is imperative to ensure that the children are provided with the needed PT and that they make the most of their legal rights. External factors that erode the boundaries of PT may threat its continued existence and roles.
Keywords: Pediatric physical therapy, Children with motor disabilities, Physical therapy services utilization
Funding acknowledgements: NIHP- The Israel National Institute for Health Policy Research.
Topic: Paediatrics; Service delivery/emerging roles; Professional issues
Ethics approval required: Yes
Institution: Ben Gurion University
Ethics committee: th faculty of health sciences
Ethics number: 43070
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
