Community-Based Network System and Interdisciplinary Management for Children with Cleft-Lip/Palate
Benjamas Prathanee PhD* Bowornsilp Chowchuen MD, MBA**
Affiliation : * Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand ** Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Center, Khon Kaen, Thailand
Objective : To propose a community-based network system and interdisciplinary management for children with cleft lip/
palate, applicable to Thailand and other developing countries.
Material and Method: A network was developed for the care of patients with cleft lip/palate by combining primary health
care, community-based rehabilitation and institutional expertise (Tawanchai Center), Five workshops were conducted,
including: 1) network development for cleft lip-palate care in the new millennium; 2) a multi-center study on the incidence and
etiology of oral clefts and associated abnormalities in Northeast Thailand; 3) establishment of a Network for Children with
Cleft Lip/Palate care in Northeast Thailand, including: 3.1) Skill development in cleft lip/palate care for parents and family;
3.2) a community-based model for speech disorders for children with cleft lip/palate in developing countries and for holistic
nursing care for children with cleft lip/palate in developing countries; and, 4) development of interdisciplinary team system
and network for holistic care for community-based quality of life, health promotion, speech and language intervention for
Thai cleft lip/palate.
Results : A community-based network system model with interdisciplinary care was developed.
Conclusion : A community-based network system model with interdisciplinary care can be applied for children with cleft lip/
palate in Thailand and developing countries where there exists a lack of coordinated multidisciplinary services. We plan to
implement such a system in the near future.
Keywords : Community-based, Network, Interdisciplinary, Cleft lip, Cleft palate
