The implementation of systematic monitoring of cognition in children with cerebral palsy in Sweden and Norway

• Purpose Children with cerebral palsy (CP) are at risk of cognitive impairments and need to be cognitively assessed to allow for individualized interventions, if applicable. Therefore, a systematic protocol for the follow-up of cognition in children with CP, CPCog, with assessments offered at five/six and 12/13 years of age, was developed. This report presents and discusses assessment practices in Sweden and Norway following the introduction of CPCog and a quality improvement project in Norway aimed at increasing the number of children offered cognitive assessments. Materials and methods A questionnaire investigating assessment practices was sent to pediatric habilitation centers in Sweden and Norway. In Norway, the habilitation centers also participated in a quality improvement project aimed at increasing adherence to the CPCog protocol. Results Of the respondents, 64-70% report that they assess cognition in children with all degrees of motor impairment, and 70-80% assess at the ages recommended in CPCog. Following the quality improvement project in Norway, the percentage of children assessed increased from 34 to 62%. Conclusions The findings illustrate that the provision of information is not sufficient to change practice. Implementation of new re/habilitation procedures is aided by targeting health care practices individually.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Annan medicin och hälsovetenskap -- Övrig annan medicin och hälsovetenskap (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Other Medical and Health Sciences -- Other Medical and Health Sciences not elsewhere specified (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Pediatrik (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Pediatrics (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Cerebral palsy; cognition; health service implementation; mental health; CPCog; national registries; systematic follow-up; assessment

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)