Clinician Survey On Speech Pathology Services For People With Aphasia In Hong Kong

Keywords

Aphasia; Best practice recommendations; Clinician survey; Intervention approach; Service adequacy

Abstract

This study aims to investigate aphasia practices by speech-language pathologists working with clients suffering from acquired neurogenic communication disorders through an online survey. Questions pertaining to content and intensity of aphasia management, service adequacy, and barriers to effective service provision to persons with aphasia were asked to understand the current service-provision situation in Hong Kong. A web-based questionnaire containing 38 questions was electronically distributed to speech-language pathologists in Hong Kong. A total of 41 respondents (equivalent to about 5% of the body of clinicians) completed and returned the survey. Compared to recommendations in existing best practice guidelines of aphasia from western countries, the results indicated that intensity and frequency of current aphasia services in Hong Kong fell short of expectations. Major challenges perceived by speech-language pathologists that contributed to dissatisfaction of aphasia service included limited manpower, resources, funding, and accessibility. It was also found that barriers to effective services could be related to clinicians' restricted adoption of intervention approaches, lack of active involvement of related healthcare professionals, and insufficient effort of referring persons with aphasia to support or self-help groups. Finally, factors to consider in order to improve existing aphasia management were discussed.

Publication Date

12-1-2018

Publication Title

Clinical Archives of Communication Disorders

Volume

3

Issue

3

Number of Pages

201-212

Document Type

Article

Personal Identifier

scopus

DOI Link

https://doi.org/10.21849/cacd.2018.00409

Socpus ID

85085324687 (Scopus)

Source API URL

https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/85085324687

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