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Public perceptions of cerebral palsy
Lori B Feldman-Winter1, Carina Joy Krueger, Joy M Neyhart
1Department of Pediatrics, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-School of Osteopathic Medicine, Stratford 08084-1351, USA. winterlb@umdnj.edu
The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association
|October 4, 2002
Summary
Many adults misunderstand cerebral palsy, holding misconceptions about its causes, speech, lifespan, and employment potential. This highlights a need for clearer public education on this complex neurologic disorder.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Public Health
- Medical Terminology
Background:
- Neurologic disorders are frequently described by symptoms, leading to confusion among healthcare professionals and families.
- Cerebral palsy (CP) is a prime example of a descriptive term for a condition with diverse causes, outcomes, and mortality rates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess public perception and understanding of the term cerebral palsy.
- To identify common misconceptions regarding the etiology, prognosis, and social implications of cerebral palsy.
Main Methods:
- A survey of 100 adults in a suburban pediatric office waiting room.
- A 20-item questionnaire was used to gather data on perceptions of cerebral palsy.
Main Results:
- Significant misconceptions were identified: 40% believed CP has a genetic cause, 57% thought affected children die earlier, and 20% believed they cannot speak or hold jobs.
- A small percentage held beliefs about CP being infectious (4%) or necessitating social restriction (3%).
- Even in an educated, middle-to-upper-middle-class population, the term 'cerebral palsy' was ambiguous and carried negative connotations.
Conclusions:
- The term cerebral palsy is ambiguous and often associated with negative perceptions in the general population.
- Further research is needed to explore these perceptions in more socioeconomically diverse populations to improve public understanding and reduce stigma.