“Client Expectations of Speech and Language Therapy Services at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital”

Abstract

Background: Speech and language therapy is a profession which is slowly beginning to develop in a number of sub-Saharan African countries. In Ghana, there are currently limited speech and language therapy services. There are only three (3) speech and language therapists serving the rehabilitation needs of people with communication disabilities in Ghana. The development of speech and language therapy training in Ghana means that services will grow and families of children with communication disabilities will have more access to speech and language therapy across the coming years. Research from developed countries has shown that families seeking services have high expectations of speech and language therapy services. There is no research within Ghana on the expectations of families who access speech and language therapy. This research aims to explore the expectations of families when they see a speech and language therapist for the first time. Aim: This research aimed to explore parents‘ expectations and experiences of speech and language therapy, during their first contact with the speech and language therapy service at a teaching hospital in Accra, Ghana. Methodology: A two-part oral mixed methods survey was used to explore the expectations and experiences of families, both before and after accessing speech and language therapy services. The survey included both categorical and qualitative data. Convenience sampling method was used. Participants were parents of children who were seeking services for communication delay or disability at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital. The sample consisted of thirty (30) participants whose children were between the ages of one (1) year and ten (10) years. Descriptive analysis of categorical data of text based qualitative data was employed. Results: The study revealed that parents have various expectancies, as well as various impressions of the job of a speech and language therapist. All parents were however satisfied with the services they received and were certain to return for the review appointments. Conclusion: The study established that parents who come to the speech therapy clinic for the first time need more education on the job description of a speech and language therapist.