Quality of Life of Parents of Children with Special Abilities

The Department of Community Medicine arranged a session on the quality of life of parents of children with special abilities for the class of 2024 on September 30, 2022.

Two mothers were interviewed by Dr. Sajida Naseem, Associate Professor and Acting Head of Community Medicine, regarding their quality of life after taking informed consent. Both have two children on a spectrum of special abilities, aged between 20 and 26.

The session started with the brief introduction of the mothers and their family structure. An interview of mothers followed it. Mothers explained how they have been caring for their children with special abilities and carrying out daily activities. Students attentively listened to both speakers. This session continued for one hour.

The take-home message for future doctors was to listen attentively to their patients, show empathy, give patients time to discuss their issues, ask about family and psychosocial history, and smile at the end.