Multiple Stakeholder Perspectives on Teletherapy Delivery of Speech Pathology Services in Rural Schools: A Preliminary, Qualitative Investigation

Authors

  • Michelle Lincoln Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney
  • Monique Hines Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney
  • Craig Fairweather Royal Far West
  • Robyn Ramsden Royal Far West
  • Julia Martinovich Royal Far West

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5195/ijt.2014.6155

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate stakeholders’ views on the feasibility and acceptability of a pilot speech pathology teletherapy program for children attending schools in rural New South Wales, Australia. Nine children received speech pathology sessions delivered via Adobe Connect® web-conferencing software. During semi-structured interviews, school principals (n = 3), therapy facilitators (n = 7), and parents (n = 6) described factors that promoted or threatened the program’s feasibility and acceptability. Themes were categorised according to whether they related to (a) the use of technology; (b) the school-based nature of the program; or (c) the combination of using technology with a school-based program. Despite frequent reports of difficulties with technology, teletherapy delivery of speech pathology services in schools was highly acceptable to stakeholders. However, the use of technology within a school environment increased the complexities of service delivery. Service providers should pay careful attention to planning processes and lines of communication in order to promote efficiency and acceptability of teletherapy programs.

  

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Published

2015-01-29

How to Cite

Lincoln, M., Hines, M., Fairweather, C., Ramsden, R., & Martinovich, J. (2015). Multiple Stakeholder Perspectives on Teletherapy Delivery of Speech Pathology Services in Rural Schools: A Preliminary, Qualitative Investigation. International Journal of Telerehabilitation, 6(2), 65–74. https://doi.org/10.5195/ijt.2014.6155

Issue

Section

School Telepractice