Abstract:

Objective: In this study, it was aimed to reveal the profile of the service provided by examining the evaluation results of children who are asked for consultation to the Child Development Unit in a State Hospital. Methods: This research is planned as a retrospective research in the quantitative model. Retrospective evaluation results of children who were consulted with the Child Development Unit between 29.06.2018-17.10.2019 were examined and analysis of data was done using the SPSS 15 program. Results: Between 29.06.2018-17.10.2019, 1740 children were admitted to the Child Development Unit. It was determined that 562 (32.5%) of 1731 children were female and 1168 (67.5%) were male. Children aged 0-16 years were most 3-6 years old (n:1167, 67.4%) and children were referred to the Child Development Unit. As the reason for application to the Child Development Unit, it was determined that it was mostly applied in terms of Developmental Assessment requests (n:1016, 58.7%) and Speech Problems (n:395, 22.8%). When we look at the polyclinics that refer patients to the Child Development Unit, it was observed that the Child Psychiatry Outpatient Clinic (n:1174, 67.8%) had the most referrals. The most frequently used test in terms of service provided in the unit is Denver II Progress Screening Test (n:1285, 74.2%); Secondly, it was determined that there was a family interview (n:329, 19.0%). When Denver Developmental Screening Test results were examined, it was found that 916 (71.3%) out of 1285 children tested were developmental delays. Conclusion: In the study, based on the fact that the highest number of applications were made in the pre-school period and the high rate of developmental delay in the developmental evaluation results, it can be said that Child Development Unit; carrying out developmental evaluations of children is of critical importance in terms of recognizing developmental retardation/delays and therefore early intervention studies.

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