Addressing early childhood development and developmental difficulties in Turkey: a training programfor developmental pediatrics units

• Published in: Archivos argentinos de pediatría Vol. 118; no. 4; pp. e384 - e391
• Main Authors: Bingoler Pekcici, Emine B, Özalp Akin, Ezgi, Ayranci Sucakli, Iclal, Kara Elitok, Gizem, Onat, Fatma N, Kivilcime, Meltem, Ustunyurt, Zeynep, Mustafayev, Revan, Ozturk Ertem, Ilgi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Spanish
• Published: 01.08.2020
• ISSN: 1668-3501
• DOI: 10.5546/aap.2020.eng.e384

INTRODUCTIONAddressing early childhood development (ECD) and developmental difficulties (DDs) in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) requires applicable and sustainable programs. Seven years after its implementation in 2010, we evaluated the Developmental Pediatrics Unit (DPU) Training Program in pediatric referral centers in Turkey. POPULATION AND METHODSWe applied crosssectional design and quantitative/qualitative methods to assess services, training, research and advocacy of the DPUs. RESULTSFive of six established DPUs sustained clinical services, training, research, and advocacy. A total of 23,710 children (9085 new cases in 2017) had been referred mainly for perinatal risks and chronic illness, all centers contributed with similar proportions of children. Staff motivation and endurance, hospital administrator support, and client satisfaction facilitated the program; whereas invisibility within the performance based healthcare system was a barrier. CONCLUSIONSIn Turkey and possibly other LMICs, the DPU Training Program is applicable and sustainable if health system barriers are addressed.