Addressing early childhood development and developmental difficulties in Turkey: a training programfor developmental pediatrics units.
Emine B Bingoler Pekcici, Ezgi Özalp Akin, Iclal Ayranci Sucakli, Gizem Kara Elitok, Fatma N Onat, Meltem Kivilcime, Zeynep Ustunyurt, Revan Mustafayev, Ilgi Ozturk Ertem
Author Information
Emine B Bingoler Pekcici: Ankara University School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics Division, Ankara, Turkey. aharbingoler@yahoo.com.
Ezgi Özalp Akin: Ankara University School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics Division, Ankara, Turkey.
Iclal Ayranci Sucakli: Ankara Child Health and Diseases, Hematology-Oncology Training and Research Hospital, University of Health Sciences, Ankara, Turkey.
Gizem Kara Elitok: Sisli Hamidiye Etfal Training and Research Hospital, University of Health Sciences, Istanbul, Turkey.
Fatma N Onat: Sami Ulus Maternity and Children's Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
Meltem Kivilcime: Behcet Uz Children's Training and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey.
Zeynep Ustunyurt: Zekai Tahir Burak Women's Health Training and Research Hospital, University of Health Sciences, Ankara, Turkey.
Revan Mustafayev: Ankara University School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics Division, Ankara, Turkey.
Ilgi Ozturk Ertem: Ankara University School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics Division, Ankara, Turkey.
INTRODUCTION: Addressing 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 METHODS: We applied crosssectional design and quantitative/qualitative methods to assess services, training, research and advocacy of the DPUs. RESULTS: Five 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. CONCLUSIONS: In Turkey and possibly other LMICs, the DPU Training Program is applicable and sustainable if health system barriers are addressed.
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