# Effectiveness of 36 hospital learning centers in Thailand: continuation of child patient education, parent attitudes toward child’s illness and service satisfaction

## TL;DR

This study shows that hospital learning centers in Thailand effectively help children continue their education while sick, with high satisfaction from parents and children.

## Contribution

The study evaluates the effectiveness of electronic distance learning in hospitals and its impact on child education continuation and parental attitudes.

## Key findings

- Children with common illnesses had the highest education continuation rate (99.8%) compared to chronic and disabled children.
- Parents' attitudes and satisfaction were positively influenced by factors like illness type and family income.
- Service satisfaction scores at the learning centers were high, averaging 4.28 to 4.43 out of 5.

## Abstract

Background: This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of 36 hospital learning centers for the continued education of sick children using electronic distance learning television (eDLTV), parents’ attitudes toward their child’s illnesses and education, and service satisfaction of the centers.

Methods: The sample included 4,430 children aged 4-18 years old with common illnesses, chronic illnesses and developmental disorders, as well as 4,430 parents who had taken care of the child for at least 6 months. The methods included attitude surveys, which were analyzed using chi-square tests and t-tests.

Results: The factors associated with education continuation of the children were illness types (parents were less worried about children with common illness and more concerned about education of children with chronic diseases and children with disabilities), distance from home to school, transportation type, parents’ education level, marital status, and family income. About 99.8% of patients with common illnesses continued their education, followed by 99.3% of disabled children, and 95.9% of chronic patients. Satisfaction score towards the services at the learning centers were high (mean scores: 4.28 and 4.43 respectively, out of 5 = strongly satisfied).

Conclusion: After completing an education program through eDLTV at a center, a total of 97.7% of children continued their education and were highly satisfied with the service at the center. Parents had positive attitudes towards their child’s illnesses and education.