The Study of care for Patients with Cleft Lip-Palate in Champasak, Lao People’s Democratic Republic
Suteera Pradubwong MSN*, Siriporn Mongkhonthawornchai MSN*, Pornpen Pathumwiwatana BSc*, Darawan Augsornwan MPH*, Saowaluk Rirattanapong BSc*, Waranya Sroyhin ME*, Kingkan Kotepat BSc*, Piyaporn Bunsangiaroen MD**, Nathee Maneewan BSc*, Yutida Chaikree BSc**, Palakorn Surakunprapha MD***, Bowornsilp Chowchuen MD, MBA***
Affiliation : * Division of Nursing, Srinagarind Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand ** Department of Anesthesiology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand *** Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
Background : Cleft lips and palates (CLP) are congenital craniofacial deformities that require long-term care and a rehabilitation
plan for patients from antenatal care until late into the teenage. The assessment and care for this group of patients involve a
multidisciplinary team that coordinates the care. In order to exchange and propagate knowledge, the Tawanchai Center,
therefore, has joined with Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) in providing antenatal care, surgery and management
for the patients with CLP.
Objective : To evaluate the project satisfaction, to assess knowledge of multidisciplinary team, and to explore problems to find
out solutions in caring for the patients with CLP
Material and Method: A retrospective study was conducted from the workshops held between 11th and 14th November 2014
in Champasak, Lao PDR. The data were collected using questionnaire and analyzed the information from 10 different
provincial hospitals, based on the results of the 65 participants. The data were collected between January and April 2016 and
analyzed using percentage and mean.
Results : The response rate was 78.46% (n = 51). The surgeons, anaesthesiologists/nursing anesthesiologists and nurses had
a moderate level of knowledge in caring for the patients with CLP (X= 3.02, 3.03 and 2.46). Problems and solutions included
lack of surgical tools and specialized personnel. The participants expressed their needs on support from the government in
training abroad and the Tawanchai Center and the Smile Train in providing additional training. The participants’ satisfaction
with the project was high to highest (100%).
Conclusion : The surgeons, anesthesiologist/nursing anesthesiologist and nurses of Lao PDR had potential to develop
knowledge in caring for the patients with CLP, but the lack of surgical tools and standard of medical education cause long-
term development. So, the government had to set up a policy to support funding for a health care system.
Keywords : Cleft lips and palate, Champasak district, The Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Tawanchai Center
