Compassionate Guidance for Parents Confronting Their Child’s Disability: Partnering with Healthcare Experts in Morocco

Informing parents about their child’s disability can be a complex task for healthcare professionals. They are tasked with understanding the parents’ unique needs and emotions and devising a customised plan to navigate this new reality effectively. This process is crucial as it significantly impacts the family’s adaptation and well-being. The objective of this study was to delineate healthcare professionals’ approach to addressing parents’ needs upon learning about their child’s disability. Additionally, it aimed to pinpoint the factors influencing this approach and to suggest possible improvements. The study employed a qualitative, descriptive and exploratory methodology and it was conducted between October and December 2021 in the prefecture of Rabat, Morocco. Forty-six semi-structured interviews were conducted, including 25 with healthcare professionals, 17 with the parents of children with disabilities, and four with members of associations dedicated to supporting persons with disabilities. The findings from the semi-structured interviews with the parents underscored a notable gender skew, with all the participants being women, particularly mothers. Both the parents and members of thematic associations voiced dissatisfaction with the healthcare services provided. Additionally, a significant portion of the healthcare professionals conveyed negative attitudes towards disabilities and indicated insufficient training in both medical and social aspects of disability care. The study will contribute to increasing awareness among decision-makers at various levels, providing them with comprehensive insights into the necessary actions that the healthcare system in Morocco must undertake to address the needs of persons with disabilities. Additionally, it will shed light on healthcare professionals’ approaches to supporting parents upon learning about their child’s disability, thereby contributing to a healthcare landscape that is more informed and compassionate.