scholarly journals New graduates’ perceptions of preparedness to provide speech-language therapy services in general and dysphagia services in particular

2015 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shajila Singh ◽  
Alannah Booth ◽  
Fadziso Choto ◽  
Jessica Gotlieb ◽  
Rebecca Robertson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Service Provision ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Learning Opportunities ◽  
Clinical Learning ◽  
Language Therapy ◽  
African Languages ◽  
New Graduates ◽  
Therapy Services ◽  
Management Of Dysphagia

Background: Upon graduation, newly qualified speech-language therapists are expected to provide services independently. This study describes new graduates’ perceptions of their preparedness to provide services across the scope of the profession and explores associations between perceptions of dysphagia theory and clinical learning curricula with preparedness for adult and paediatric dysphagia service delivery.Methods: New graduates of six South African universities were recruited to participate in a survey by completing an electronic questionnaire exploring their perceptions of the dysphagia curricula and their preparedness to practise across the scope of the profession of speechlanguage therapy. Results: Eighty graduates participated in the study yielding a response rate of 63.49%. Participants perceived themselves to be well prepared in some areas (e.g. child language: 100%; articulation and phonology: 97.26%), but less prepared in other areas (e.g. adult dysphagia: 50.70%; paediatric dysarthria: 46.58%; paediatric dysphagia: 38.36%) and most unprepared to provide services requiring sign language (23.61%) and African languages (20.55%). There was a significant relationship between perceptions of adequate theory and clinical learning opportunities with assessment and management of dysphagia and perceptions of preparedness to provide dysphagia services. Conclusion: There is a need for review of existing curricula and consideration of developing a standard speech-language therapy curriculum across universities, particularly in service provision to a multilingual population, and in both the theory and clinical learning of the assessment and management of adult and paediatric dysphagia, to better equip graduates for practice.

scholarly journals Speech-language assessment in a linguistically diverse setting: Preliminary exploration of the possible impact of informal ‘solutions’ within the South African context

2012 ◽  
Vol 59 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanne Barratt ◽  
Katijah Khoza-Shangase ◽  
Kwandinjabulo Msimang
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Linguistic Diversity ◽  
First Language ◽  
Linguistically Diverse ◽  
Language Therapy ◽  
African Languages ◽  
Therapy Services ◽  
African Context ◽  
Diverse Setting ◽  
Communication Impairments

Speech-language therapists (SLTs) working in the context of cultural and linguistic diversity face considerable challenges in providing equitable services to all clients. This is complicated by the fact that the majority of SLTs in South Africa are English or Afrikaans speakers, while the majority of the population have a home language other than English/Afrikaans. Consequently, SLTs are often forced to call on untrained personnel to act as interpreters or translators, and to utilise informally translated materials in the assessment and management of clients with communication impairments. However, variations in translation have the potential to considerably alter intervention plans. This study explored whether the linguistic complexity conveyed in translation of the Western Aphasia Battery (WAB) test changed when translated from English to isiZulu by five different first-language IsiZulu speakers. A qualitative comparative research design was adopted and results were analysed using comparative data analysis. Results revealed notable differences in the translations, with most differences relating to vocabulary and semantics. This finding holds clinical implications for the use of informal translators as well as for the utilisation of translated material in the provision of speech-language therapy services in multilingual contexts. This study highlights the need for cautious use of translators and/or translated materials that are not appropriately and systematically adapted for local usage. Further recommendations include a call for intensified efforts in the transformation of the profession within the country, specifically by attracting greater numbers of students who are fluent in African languages.

Providing School-Based Speech-Language Therapy Services by Telepractice: A Brief Tutorial

2012 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 42-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sue Grogan-Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Public School ◽  
Service Provision ◽  
School Setting ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Language Therapy ◽  
The Public ◽  
School Based ◽  
Potential Applications ◽  
Therapy Services ◽  
Communication Impairments

Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are increasingly turning to technologies such as the Internet and videoconferencing for service provision (Dudding & Justice, 2004). Many school-based SLPs are recognizing the potential applications of telepractice for students with communication impairments, but may be uncertain about how to put telepractice into action. The purpose of this article is to describe one approach to implementing telepractice in the public school setting.

scholarly journals The curriculum of practice: A conceptual framework for speech-language therapy and audiology practice with a Black African first language clientele

1997 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mershen Pillay ◽  
Harsha Kathard ◽  
Micheal A. Samuel
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
South African ◽  
Professional Practice ◽  
Professional Education ◽  
Service Provision ◽  
Research Finding ◽  
First Language ◽  
Language Therapy ◽  
Black African

This paper discusses the use of a conceptual framework (i.e., the curriculum of practice)to guide the transformation of professional practice toward equitable service provision, rooted in a research finding that South African Speech-Language Therapy & Audiology has a favourable service bias toward White English/ Afrikaans first language speakers (Pillay, 1997b). Three perspectives of practice are discussed, i.e.,the official, espoused and actual perspectives. Also, the various elements of practice are reviewed, and include clinical practice activities, resources and their utilization, professional education curricular and professional policies. It is asserted that re-constructing the profession's knowledge base in a presently (1996-) transforming South Africa, mostly requires the use of a critical (versus, for e.g., a scientific) paradigm.

FOLKTALE NARRATION IN THE INDIGENOUS SOUTH AFRICAN LANGUAGES: AN ARTFUL CUL-DE-SAC?

2017 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 24-37
Author(s):  
Eric Mabaso
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Study ◽  
South African ◽  
African Languages ◽  
Pros And Cons ◽  
A Performance

This article highlights the problem that the print mode that the indigenous South African languages (IndiSAL) have largely adopted to preserve the folktale is inadequate. It raises shortfalls in support of the contention that not enough is being done to preserve the art of folktale narration and suggests a way out of the cul-de-sac. Most works on IndiSAL folktales focus on the value of preserving the art itself rather than the mode of preservation. The research follows a performance-centred approach as advocated by inter alia Marivate (1991), Bill (1996), Dorji (2010) and Backe (2014). Compared to countries such as Nigeria and Malawi, IndiSAL are lagging behind in digitization for the preservation of folktales. The article is an empirical study based on the author’s experiences and observation of folktale narration and the analysis of the transcribed form. The article critically reviews the various preservation modes and highlights their pros and cons.

Khawuleza—An Instantiation of the Black Archive

Imbizo ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Siseko H. Kumalo
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Knowledge Production ◽  
African History ◽  
Art Practice ◽  
African Languages ◽  
Philosophical Consideration ◽  
Theory Generation ◽  
Artistic Works

South African history is such that Blackness/Indigeneity were excluded from institutions of knowledge production. Contemporarily, the traditional University is defined as an institution predicated on the abjection of Blackness. This reality neither predetermined the positions and responses, nor presupposed complete/successful erasure of Blackness/Indigeneity owing to exclusion. I contend and detail how theorising, thinking about and through the Fact of Blackness, continue(d)—using the artistic works of Mhlongo, Makeba, Mbulu, and contemporarily, Leomile as examples. Analysing the music of the abovementioned artists, a move rooted in intersectional feminist approaches, will reveal modes of theorising that characterised the artistic expressions that define(d) the country. Theory generation, so construed, necessitates a judicious philosophical consideration if we are to resurrect the Black Archive. I conclude with an introspective question aimed at inspiring similar projects in other traditions that constitute the Black Archive, i.e. African languages and literature, theatre, art practice and theory.

Rapid Development of TTS Corpora for Four South African Languages

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel van Niekerk ◽  
Charl van Heerden ◽  
Marelie Davel ◽  
Neil Kleynhans ◽  
Oddur Kjartansson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
African Languages

scholarly journals Occupational burnout following the first wave of coronavirus disease at a Welsh district general hospital

2021 ◽  
pp. 175114372110100
Author(s):  
Gayathri Chinnappa Srinivas ◽  
Anwen Whitham ◽  
Rachel Rouse ◽  
Vincent Hamlyn ◽  
Matthew Williams
Keyword(s):  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
District General Hospital ◽  
Learning Opportunities ◽  
Direct Patient Care ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Positive Outcomes ◽  
Occupational Burnout ◽  
Staff Burnout ◽  
The Impact

A survey was conducted to identify the prevalence of occupational burnout amongst health care professionals caring for COVID-19 patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of a Welsh hospital. The response rate was 79%. Nurses and other staff reassigned to work in the ICU had higher levels of burnout. Working in Personal Protective Equipment was most distressing, followed by direct patient care. There were positive outcomes including learning opportunities, professional development and job satisfaction. The impact of the pandemic on staff burnout may have been mitigated by acknowledging the contribution of staff, improving communication and encouraging them to access support.

scholarly journals Mixed-methods research: A tutorial for speech-language therapists and audiologists in South Africa

2018 ◽  
Vol 65 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna-Marie Wium ◽  
Brenda Louw
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
South African ◽  
Mixed Methods Research ◽  
Communication Disorders ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Multiple Perspectives ◽  
Language Therapy ◽  
Research Issues ◽  
Healthcare Professions ◽  
Approach Method

Background: Mixed-methods research (MMR) offers much to healthcare professions on clinical and research levels. Speech-language therapists and audiologists work in both educational and health settings where they deal with real-world problems. Through the nature of their work, they are confronted with multifaceted questions arising from their efforts to provide evidence-based services to individuals of all ages with communication disorders. MMR methods research is eminently suited to addressing such questions. Objective: The aim of this tutorial is to increase awareness of the value of MMR, especially for readers less familiar with this research approach. Method: A literature review was conducted to provide an overview of the key issues in MMR. The tutorial discusses the various issues to be considered in the critical appraisal of MMR, followed by an explanation of the process of conducting MMR. A critical review describes the strengths and challenges in MMR. Results: MMR is less commonly used or published in the fields of speech-language therapy and audiology. Conclusion: Researchers working in teams can draw on the strengths of different disciples and their research approaches. Such collaborative enterprises will contribute to capacity building. Researchers, SLTs and audiologists are encouraged to make use of MMR to address the complex research issues in the multicultural, multifaceted South African context. MMR makes an important contribution to the understanding of individuals with communication disorders, and in turn, researchers in the two disciplinary fields of speech-language therapy and audiology can contribute to the development of this research approach. MMR is well suited to the complexity of South African contexts and its populations, as it can provide multiple perspectives of a topic.

Telehealth Music Therapy Services in the United States With Older Adults: A Descriptive Study

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lindsey Wilhelm ◽  
Kyle Wilhelm
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Music Therapy ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Descriptive Study ◽  
The United States ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Music Therapists ◽  
Therapy Services ◽  
Therapy Sessions

Abstract In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, many music therapists in the United States turned to telehealth music therapy sessions as a strategy to continue services with older adults. However, the nature and perception of telehealth music therapy services for this age group are unknown. The purpose of this study was to describe music therapy telehealth practices with older adults in the United States including information related to session implementation, strengths and challenges, and adaptations to clinical practice. Of the 110 participants in the United States who responded to the survey (25.2% response rate), 69 reported implementing telehealth music therapy services with older adults and responded to a 32-item survey. Quantitative and qualitative analyses were conducted. Results indicated that while all participants had provided telehealth music therapy for no more than 6 months, their experiences with telehealth varied. Based on participant responses, telehealth session structure, strengths, challenges, and implemented changes are presented. Overall, 48% of music therapists reported that they planned to continue telehealth music therapy with older adults once pandemic restrictions are lifted. Further study on the quality, suitability, and acceptability of telehealth services with older adults is recommended.

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