Factors influencing telepractice in Speech and Language Therapy and Audiology during COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh

Abstract

Purpose: This study was conducted to find out the factors that influence telepractice in Speech and Language Therapy during Covid -19 pandemic in Bangladesh. Aim: To identify the influencing factors of telepractice and it’s potential as a service delivery method in Speech and Language Therapy practice during Covid -19 pandemic in Bangladesh. Methods: Mixed Method Research Design (Convergent Parallel Design) in which simultaneous collection of quantitative and qualitative data has been collected from clinicians and parents of children with special needs respectively about telepractice and these multiple data sources has been combined and compared for interpretation. Quantitative data collected from clinicians were analyzed using descriptive analysis with SPSS, and qualitative data was reviewed and analyzed using content analysis. Sampling: Purposive sampling was used in accordance of inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data collection: A structured questionnaire containing 23 questions and 5 sub questions was formulated after reviewing previous studies conducted in other countries to collect data from Speech and Language Therapists and Audiologists. The questionnaire was sent via google forms using whatsapp, facebook messenger and emails. 63 clinicians responded to the questionnaire. To collect data from parents of children with special needs, a semi structured questionnaire was developed and Zoom video conferencing software was used to interview them with the semi structured questionnaire. Results: In the quantitative part of the study, out of 63 participant clinicians, 48 reported to have provided telepractice sessions during covid-19 pandemic. Most of the participants (20.45%) who did not provide telepractice reported that they thought the effectiveness of telepractice was questionable. Majority of the clinicians who provided telepractice had an experience of less than 3 months (39.6%) and mostly considered patients’ communication ability (40.00%) while selecting patients for telepractice. 39.58% of the clinicians reported to have somewhat uncomfortable feelings while providing telepractice service, and 41.67% thought telepractice was not equivalent to face-to-face or standard clinical care. 47.92% of the clinicians believed that telepractice appropriateness depends on clinical population and 75% of them also believe that 6 telepractice should always be a real-time interaction between clinician and patient. In the qualitative part of the study, 5 themes were identified from the interviews of 7 parents. 6 of the parents were female and only 1 parent was male. Most of the parents had preference for on-site or face-to-face therapy in this study. It was revealed that child’s capability to engage in telepractice session depends on child’s developmental age, their eye contact and attention, sitting habit and patience, child’s interest and their understanding of language