Knowledge and Attitudes of Pediatric Residents Regarding the Needs and Social Rights of Children with Chronic Disease

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the knowledge and attitudes of pediatric residents regarding the care of children with chronic disease in terms of managing their needs and providing guidance for accessing social rights.Materials and Methods: Between October 1, 2024, and November 15, 2024, pediatric residents at the Istanbul University, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine Pediatrics Department, were interviewed face-to-face using a questionnaire designed based on literature about the monitoring and needs of children with chronic diseases (CCDs) and special needs in society.Results: Of the 100 pediatric residents, 75 participated. Most were female (77.3%) with a mean age of 27.5 years. While 26.7% experienced challenges in monitoring children with chronic diseases, 80% were unfamiliar with the Children’s Special Needs Report (CSNR) (in Turkish, “Çocuklar için Özel Gereksinim Raporu”; ÇÖZGER) system, and only 5.3% correctly identified the defined levels of special needs. Using Chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests, residents with ≥2 years of training demonstrated significantly better knowledge of process initiation and the temporary scope of services (p = 0.002 and p = 0.007).Conclusion: The findings of our study indicate that pediatric residents possess inadequate knowledge regarding Children's Special Needs Report (CSNR) (in Turkish, “Çocuklar için Özel Gereksinim Raporu”; ÇÖZGER), which leads to difficulties in the referral of children with chronic diseases. To improve referral and follow-up processes, it is essential to expand training programs for healthcare professionals and improve referral infrastructure.