”Love and patience is most important” : A qualitative interview study about the views and experiences from physical therapists working with orphan children diagnosed with cerebral palsy in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Abstract: Background: Cerebral palsy (CP) is a diagnosis found worldwide. Literature indicates the importance of teaching families how to support the child. Orphan children are an exposed group and if the child also is diagnosed with CP the child is even more exposed. A literature search on how the lack of social support from close family, for example a child being orphan, affects the physical therapy intervention for CP showed no results. Purpose: The purpose of this bachelor thesis was to investigate views and experiences from physical therapists at “The Center of Rehabilitation and Support For Children With Disabilities”, Ho Chi Minh City, about their work with orphan children diagnosed with CP. Method: A qualitative interview study with physical therapists working with orphan children diagnosed with CP. The data was collected through five semi-structured interviews. Summary of result: The result was divided into four categories and 14 subcategories. The treatment for the orphan children was motor skill oriented and included a psychosocial view. “Love” was very important in physical therapy treatment, as a substitute for social support from close family. The participants had examples of obstacles and experiences on ways to overcome lack of social support. Conclusion: The most prominent views and experiences from the physical therapists were to love the orphan children as their own and act in their professional roles in ways that compensate for strong social support. There is a need for more research in this area.