Difficulties in the Treatment and Perceptions of Mental Health Service Interventions by Caregivers for Those with Pediatric Chronic Intractable Diseases

Abstract

The aim of this study is to identify the actual access status and level of demand for caregivers’ mental health services, including services for children, by exploring the difficulties experienced by caregivers of children with chronic intractable diseases in medical care. The findings show that the psychological and mental difficulties of the family of such patients due to patient care are consistently high, with limited access to accurate information and treatments appropriate for incurable diseases also reported. 74% of the respondents in this study reported they had no experience with mental health services available to them, indicating most frequently that they did not have time or the economic ability to undertake psychological counseling. With regard to children, therapeutic interventions have sought mainly to improve the performance outcomes of basic daily functions, though the service experience associated with mental health for children was insufficient. Nevertheless, 79% of respondents responded positively when asked about the need for intervention in mental health services for their children, thus confirming these needs. The results of this study demonstrate that the provision of professional mental health support services at the national level for psychological and emotional problems is essential for the efficient management of chronic incurable disease, while also providing basic data to help establish a more realistic and practical psychological support system.