Telepractice with Preschool Children: Speech-language Pathologists’ Perspectives in Turkey

Authors

  • Merve Dilbaz Gürsoy Department of Speech and Language Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey.
  • Tuğçe Karahan Tığrak Department of Speech and Language Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey.
  • Ayşen Köse Department of Speech and Language Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5195/ijt.2022.6465

Keywords:

Preschool children, Speech-language pathology, Telepractice

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to investigate speech-language pathologists’ (SLPs) perspectives, attitudes, and experiences of using telepractice for preschoolers in Turkey. A mixed-method online survey was used with SLPs who implemented telepractice with preschool children. Frequency distribution and theme analysis were used to examine the data. Therapy was the most offered online service (98%). Further, 67% of SLPs worked with speech sound disorders. More than half of SLPs felt confident offering telepractice to preschoolers. Most respondents thought that telepractice was an appropriate and easily accessible approach for preschool children, with the applicability of telepractice connected to a child’s type of problem. The SLPs were motivated by the numerous advantages of telepractice. However, their opinions were divided when telepractice was compared to in-person treatment. The SLPs in Turkey must be better educated about telepractice, and clinical standards established. The findings point to areas of telepractice that might be improved for preschoolers, especially in Turkey.

  

References

Aggarwal, K., Patel, R., & Ravi, R. (2020). Uptake of telepractice among speech-language therapists following COVID-19 pandemic in India. Speech, Language Hearing, 1-7. doi: 10.1080/2050571X.2020.1812034

American Speech and Hearing Association. (2016). Telepractice services survey results. Retrieved from www.asha.org

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. (2021, December 9). Telepractice evidence map. Retrieved from www.asha.org

Burns, K.E., Duffett, M., Kho, M.E., Meade, M.O., Adhikari, N.K., Sinuff, T., … ACCADEMY Group. (2008). A guide for the design and conduct of self-administered surveys of clinicians. CMAJ, 179, 245–252. doi:10.1503/cmaj.080372

Costanzo, M. C., Arcidiacono, C., Rodolico, A., Panebianco, M., Aguglia, E., & Signorelli, M. S. (2020). Diagnostic and interventional implications of telemedicine in Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment: A literature review. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 35(1), 12-28. doi:10.1002/gps.5219

Coufal, K., Parham, D., Jakubowitz, M., Howell, C., & Reyes, J. (2018). Comparing traditional service delivery and telepractice for speech sound production using a functional outcome measure. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 27(1), 82-90. doi: 10.1044/2017_AJSLP-16-0070

De Araújo Novaes, M. (2020). Telecare within different specialties. In Fundamentals of Telemedicine and Telehealth (pp. 185-254). Academic Press. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-814309-4.00010-0

Del Carmen Pamplona, M., & Ysunza, P. A. (2020). Speech pathology telepractice for children with cleft palate in the times of COVID-19 pandemic. International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology, 138, 110318. doi: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2020.110318

Edwards, M., Stredler-Brown, A., & Houston, K. T. (2012). Expanding use of telepractice in speech-language pathology and audiology. Volta Review, 112(3). doi: 10.17955/TVR.112.3.M.704

Ferguson, J., Craig, E. A., & Dounavi, K. (2019). Telehealth as a model for providing behaviour analytic interventions to individuals with autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review. Journal of Autism Developmental Disorders, 49(2), 582-616. doi: 10.1007/s10803-018-3724-5

Finch, E., Lethlean, J., Rose, T., Fleming, J., Theodoros, D., Cameron, A., Coleman, A., Copland, D., & McPhail, S. M. (2020). Conversations between people with aphasia and speech pathology students via telepractice: A Phase II feasibility study. International Journal of Language Communication Disorders, 55(1), 43-58. doi: 10.1111/1460-6984.12501

Fong, R., Tsai, C. F., & Yiu, O. Y. (2021). The implementation of telepractice in speech language pathology in Hong Kong during the COVID-19 pandemic. Telemedicine E-Health, 27(1), 30-38. doi: 10.1089/tmj.2020.0223

Freckmann, A., Hines, M., & Lincoln, M. (2017). Clinicians’ perspectives of therapeutic alliance in face-to-face and telepractice speech–language pathology sessions. International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 19(3), 287-296. doi: 10.1080/17549507.2017.1292547

Grogan-Johnson, S., Schmidt, A. M., Schenker, J., Alvares, R., Rowan, L. E., & Taylor, J. (2013). A comparison of speech sound intervention delivered by telepractice and side-by-side service delivery models. Communication Disorders Quarterly, 34(4), 210-220. doi: 10.1177/1525740113484965

Hao, Y., Franco, J. H., Sundarrajan, M., & Chen, Y. (2020). A pilot study comparing tele-therapy and in-person therapy: Perspectives from parent-mediated intervention for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Journal of Autism Developmental Disorders, 1-15. doi: 10.1007/s10803-020-04439-x

Hill, A., & Theodoros, D. (2002). Research into telehealth applications in speech-language pathology. Journal of Telemedicine Telecare, 8(4), 187-196. doi: 10.1258/135763302320272158

Hill, A. J., & Miller, L. E. (2012). A survey of the clinical use of telehealth in speech-language pathology across Australia. Journal of Clinical Practice in Speech-Language Pathology, 14(3), 110-117.

Hines, M., Lincoln, M., Ramsden, R., Martinovich, J., & Fairweather, C. (2015). Speech pathologists’ perspectives on transitioning to telepractice: What factors promote acceptance? Journal of Telemedicine Telecare, 21(8), 469-473. doi: 10.1177/1357633X15604555

Kraljević, J. K., Matić, A., & Dokoza, K. P. (2020). Telepractice as a reaction to the Covid-19 crisis: Insights from Croatian SLP settings. International Journal of Telerehabilitation, 12(2), 93. doi: 10.5195/ijt.2020.6325

Law, J., Dornstauder, M., Charlton, J., & Gréaux, M. (2021). Tele‐practice for children and young people with communication disabilities: Employing the COM‐B model to review the intervention literature and inform guidance for practitioners. International Journal of Language Communication Disorders, 56(2), 415-434. doi: 10.1111/1460-6984.12592

Lowe, R., O'brian, S., & Onslow, M. (2013). Review of telehealth stuttering management. Folia Phoniatrica et Logopaedica, 65(5), 223-238. doi: 10.1159/000357708

Mashima, P. A., & Doarn, C. R. (2008). Overview of telehealth activities in speech-language pathology. Telemedicine E-Health, 14(10), 1101-1117. doi: 10.1089/tmj.2008.0080

May, J., & Erickson, S. (2014). Telehealth, Why not. Journal of Clinical Practice in Speech-Language Pathology, 16(3), 147-151.

McGill, M., Noureal, N., & Siegel, J. (2019). Telepractice treatment of stuttering: A systematic review. Telemedicine E-Health, 25(5), 359-368. doi: 10.1089/tmj.2017.0319

Mohan, H. S., Anjum, A., & Rao, P. K. (2017). A survey of telepractice in speech-language pathology and audiology in India. International Journal of Telerehabilitation, 9(2), 69.

Sutherland, R., Trembath, D., & Roberts, J. (2018). Telehealth and autism: A systematic search and review of the literature. International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 20(3), 324-336. doi: 10.1080/17549507.2018.1465123

Swales, M., Theodoros, D., Hill, A. J., & Russell, T. (2020). Speech-language pathologists’ perceptions of the use of telepractice in the delivery of services to people with Parkinson’s disease: A national pilot survey. International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 22(4), 387-398. doi: 10.1080/17549507.2019.1650110

Theodoros, D. (2011). Telepractice in speech-language pathology: The evidence, the challenges, and the future. Perspectives on Telepractice, 1(1), 10-21. doi: 10.1044/tele1.1.10

Tohidast, S. A., Mansuri, B., Bagheri, R., & Azimi, H. (2020). Provision of speech-language pathology services for the treatment of speech and language disorders in children during the COVID-19 pandemic: Problems, concerns, and solutions. International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology, 138, 110262. doi: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2020.110262

Tucker, J. K. (2012). Perspectives of speech-language pathologists on the use of telepractice in schools: The qualitative view. International Journal of Telerehabilitation, 4(2), 47. doi: 10.5195/ijt.2012.6102

Waite, M. C., Cahill, L. M., Theodoras, D. G., Busuttin, S., & Russell, T. G. (2006). A pilot study of online assessment of childhood speech disorders. Journal of Telemedicine Telecare, 12(3_suppl), 92-94. doi: 10.1258/135763306779380048

Wales, D., Skinner, L., & Hayman, M. (2017). The efficacy of telehealth-delivered speech and language intervention for primary school-age children: A systematic review. International Journal of Telerehabilitation, 9(1), 55. doi: 10.5195/ijt.2017.6219

Weidner, K., & Lowman, J. (2020). Telepractice for adult speech-language pathology services: A systematic review. Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups, 5(1), 326-338. doi: 10.1044/2019_PERSP-19-00146

World Health Organization. (2021, December 9). TELEMEDICINE in Member States. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/goe/publications/goe_telemedicine_2010.pdf

YOK, Yuksekogretim Program Atlasi. (2022, November 14). Retrieved from: https://yokatlas.yok.gov.tr/lisans-bolum.php?b=19015

Downloads

Published

2022-12-13

How to Cite

Dilbaz Gürsoy, M., Tığrak, T. K., & Köse, A. (2022). Telepractice with Preschool Children: Speech-language Pathologists’ Perspectives in Turkey. International Journal of Telerehabilitation, 14(2). https://doi.org/10.5195/ijt.2022.6465

Issue

Vol. 14 No. 2 (2022)

Section

Country Reports

License

Copyright (c) 2022 Merve Dilbaz Gürsoy, Tugce Karahan Tigrak, Aysen Köse

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:

  1. The Author retains copyright in the Work, where the term “Work” shall include all digital objects that may result in subsequent electronic publication or distribution.
  2. Upon acceptance of the Work, the author shall grant to the Publisher the right of first publication of the Work.
  3. The Author shall grant to the Publisher and its agents the nonexclusive perpetual right and license to publish, archive, and make accessible the Work in whole or in part in all forms of media now or hereafter known under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License or its equivalent, which, for the avoidance of doubt, allows others to copy, distribute, and transmit the Work under the following conditions:
    1. Attribution—other users must attribute the Work in the manner specified by the author as indicated on the journal Web site;
    with the understanding that the above condition can be waived with permission from the Author and that where the Work or any of its elements is in the public domain under applicable law, that status is in no way affected by the license.
  4. The Author is able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the nonexclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the Work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), as long as there is provided in the document an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
  5. Authors are permitted and encouraged to post online a prepublication manuscript (but not the Publisher’s final formatted PDF version of the Work) in institutional repositories or on their Websites prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work. Any such posting made before acceptance and publication of the Work shall be updated upon publication to include a reference to the Publisher-assigned DOI (Digital Object Identifier) and a link to the online abstract for the final published Work in the Journal.
  6. Upon Publisher’s request, the Author agrees to furnish promptly to Publisher, at the Author’s own expense, written evidence of the permissions, licenses, and consents for use of third-party material included within the Work, except as determined by Publisher to be covered by the principles of Fair Use.
  7. The Author represents and warrants that:
    1. the Work is the Author’s original work;
    2. the Author has not transferred, and will not transfer, exclusive rights in the Work to any third party;
    3. the Work is not pending review or under consideration by another publisher;
    4. the Work has not previously been published;
    5. the Work contains no misrepresentation or infringement of the Work or property of other authors or third parties; and
    6. the Work contains no libel, invasion of privacy, or other unlawful matter.
  8. The Author agrees to indemnify and hold Publisher harmless from Author’s breach of the representations and warranties contained in Paragraph 6 above, as well as any claim or proceeding relating to Publisher’s use and publication of any content contained in the Work, including third-party content.

Revised 7/16/2018. Revision Description: Removed outdated link.