Study on Assessment and Treatment Patterns of Speech-Language Pathologists in Pediatric Vocal Problem Through Multicenter Survey

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Pediatric vocal health problems are relatively common. However, it is not yet well studied whether uniform diagnosis and treatment is done properly in South Korea. The purpose of this study was to investigate the methods that the Korean speech therapists use to diagnose and treat pediatric voice problem. MATERIALS AND METHOD: An anonymous online questionnaire was administered to 32 speech language therapists registered at the Korean laryngeal speech linguistics society detailing demographics, employment institution, general management of pediatric patients with vocal problem including assessment and treatment procedures. RESULTS: Current practice patterns were analyzed on 32 speech language therapists providing services in South Korea mostly working at tertiary university hospital. One third of pediatric patients were assessed without proceeding to treatment. One fifth of patients were treated without assessment. Perceptual assessment was the main pre-treatment assessment methods used. Treatment was done in the following order Voice rest, SOVT, yawn-sigh and resonant voice. Post-treatment evaluation was used in the following order Instrumental assessment, clinical judgment, and recording comparison. CONCLUSION: Speech language therapists practice in South Korea mostly follows the ASHA practice guidelines. However, there are still great amount of cases in which only the evaluation was done without appropriate treatment. Further research is needed to make SPLs more systematic and efficient for evaluating and treating pediatric vocal patients.