Empowering Volunteers at Tawanchai Centre for Patients with Cleft Lip and Palate
Suteera Pradubwong MSN*, Darawan Augsornwan MPH*, Pornpen Pathumwiwathana BSc**, Benjamas Prathanee PhD***, Bowornsilp Chowchuen MD, MBA****
Affiliation : * Surgery and Orthopaedic Nursing Department, Nursing Division, Srinagarind Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand ** Obstetrics and Gynecology Nursing Department, Nursing Division, Srinagarind Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand *** Department of Otorhinolargyngology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand **** Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
Background : Cleft lip and palate (CLP) congenital anomalies have a high prevalence in the Northeast of Thailand. A care
team’s understand of treatment plan would help to guide the family of patients with CLP to achieve the treatment.
Objective : To examine the impact of the empowering volunteer project, established in the northeast Thailand.
Material and Method: The Empowering Volunteer project was conducted in 2008 under the Tawanchai Royal Granted
project. The patients and family’s general information, treatment, the group brainstorming, and satisfaction with the project
were analysed.
Results : Participants were 12 children with CLP, their families and five volunteers with CLP; the participating patients were
predominantly females and the mean age was 12.2 years. The treatment comprised of speech training, dental hygiene care,
bone graft and orthodontic treatment. Four issues were addressed including: problems in taking care of breast feeding,
instructions’ needs for care at birth, difficulty in access information and society impact, and needs in having a network of
volunteers.
Conclusions: Empowering volunteer is important for holistic care of patients with CLP which provides easy access and
multiple channels for patients and their families. It should be developed as part of the self-help and family support group, the
development of community based team and comprehensive CLP care program.
Keywords : Self-help and family support group, Community based model, Volunteer, Cleft lip-cleft palate
