Knowledge Of Trainee Nurses On The Role Of Speech And Language Therapists

Abstract

Background: Specialists who manages communication and swallowing disorders are often refer to as Speech and Language Therapist. A few of these professionals are however part of the team responsible acute and community specialist palliative care. Speech and Language Therapist (SLT) provide intervention for life challenging health issues like dementia and Head and Neck cancer. With the gradual numerical increase of SLTs, there is still the need for further education and research to create and enhance understanding of their role and services. Aim & Method: The study assessed the knowledge of Training Nurses about the role of SLT at the Korle-Bu Nursing and Midwifery College. It was carried out using mainly qualitative research design that employed focused group discussion involving 19 participants randomly selected among the third-year trainee nurses. Data was analyzed using the NVIVO version 12. Findings: Participants were between the ages 20-29 and final year students of the college. There was one male student while the rest were females who were not farfetched from the school statistics. Three were married with sixteen been single. Almost all respondent had knowledge about the role of the Speech and Language therapist. A little over half the students knew that speech and language disorders can be managed. Conclusion: Students’ knowledge about the role of the speech and language therapist can be enhanced beyond what the students know if deliberate attempt is made to incorporate it into their curriculum of studies. Keywords: Knowledge, Speech, Language, Therapist.