Browsing by Author "De Bruin, Marisa"

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    Perceptions of public service speech-language therapists in the Western Cape regarding early communication intervention
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2021-03) De Bruin, Marisa; Gerber, Berna; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Dept. of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences. Speech Language and Hearing Therapy.
    ENGLISH SUMMARY : Objectives: This qualitative research study aimed to investigate the perspectives of Speech-Language Therapists (SLTs) providing early communication intervention (ECI) services within the multicultural and multilingual environment of the Western Cape public healthcare sector. Background: Communication delays and disorders are the most common impairment in early childhood. Appropriate and early intervention can limit the negative impact of such impairments across the child’s lifespan. Little research knowledge is available regarding the nature of ECI services in the South African public health sector. Therapists’ perceptions can be valuable in understanding the facilitators, challenges, and opportunities to good quality ECI services. Method: Data was collected by means of semi-structured interviews with 7 speech-language therapists using an interview guide. Each interview was recorded and then transcribed verbatim. Finally, open coding was applied to the transcripts, and findings emerged in the form of several themes and subthemes. Findings: The main findings that emerged from the study were; the main differences between the current and ideal ECI; challenges and facilitators to ECI service delivery; and achieving ideal ECI service delivery. Several recommendations were made by the participants, including a renewed emphasis upon training candidates that represent the cultural and linguistic characteristics of the communities that they serve; revision of policies regarding the availability of posts; and use of a group therapy approach where possible. Conclusion: The findings of this study represent a clear contrast between the current realities that ECI interventionists face and the ideal service delivery to which they strive. Several recommendations were made by the participants in the light of these findings, especially with regards to the current needs and disparities evident in the field of ECI in the public sector.