The Effect of Teamwork on Children With Cleft Lip and Palate and Their Mother's Quality of Life.

OBJECTIVE: Maintaining and improving patients' quality of life (QOL) are regarded as the most important aims in health-care systems. These are directly associated with intervention of health-care providers across the world. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of teamwork on frequency of care provided to children with cleft lip and palate and their mothers' QOL.

METHODS: This analytical epidemiology study was conducted on 101 children with cleft lip and palate and their mothers who were divided into 2 groups: a multidisciplinary team and a group of individual providers. Data were collected using convenience sampling. Quality of Life Questionnaire (Short Form-36) was assessed. The statistical analysis was performed using the χ2 test, independent t test, and Mann-Whitney U test in SPSS (20).

RESULTS: Both groups were matched. There was a significant statistical difference among the members of multidisciplinary team who received surgery, genetic counseling, and dental care ( P ≤ .043) and the individual providers groups. The 2 groups did not have significant difference in receiving the hearing test, speech therapy, and dental care 12 months before the interview. There were significant differences in QOL scores between the multidisciplinary team and the group of individual providers ( P = .013).

CONCLUSIONS: The services provided as a multidisciplinary team leads to a better outcome and improves the QOL of our patients and their families. It is recommended that services should be provided in the team approach for patients with cleft lip and palate.