Audiological practice and service delivery in South Africa

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dc.contributor.authorNaidoo, Tirusha
dc.date.accessioned2008-03-04T09:06:36Z
dc.date.available2008-03-04T09:06:36Z
dc.date.issued2008-03-04T09:06:36Z
dc.description.abstractABSTRACT The Audiology profession in South Africa appears to be lacking direction. Many challenges to Audiology service delivery are said to exist. However, no official national investigation regarding the range of audiological services provided has been conducted. The purpose of this study was to investigate at a national level, the demographics of Audiologists in SA, to conduct an audit of service delivery, and to identify issues impacting on audiology service delivery. Respondents were requested to indicate reasons for non-provision of audiology services. Research participants included all South African qualified Speech-Language and Hearing Therapists, Audiologists, Speech Therapist and community service graduates currently registered with the Health Professional Council of South Africa. A cross-sectional ex post facto, descriptive survey research design within the quantitative paradigm was selected. Descriptive statistics were utilised to analyse the data and were presented to display service delivery provided by respondents employed in the private and public sectors. Results: A significant difference in professional registration and practice was evident. The audit of service delivery revealed that the provision of advanced diagnostic audiology procedures, paediatric audiology services as well as rehabilitation services was significantly lacking. Audiology service delivery in both the public and private sector were analogous. The lack of equipment was a central reason for the non-provision of services amongst all respondents. Key issues influencing service delivery included the lack of knowledge by associated professionals and the public, delayed referrals, limited budgets, lack of staffing, and restrictions regarding advertisements. Conclusion: The profession of audiology in SA is under transition. The scope of audiology service delivery is slowing moving towards the implementation of advanced diagnostic audiology services however support from associated professionals is lacking. To this end the Audiology profession in SA must focus on advertisement and marketing regarding the range and clinical relevance of audiological services available. Future directions for the profession include the development of unified test protocols and norms, forming data bases, equipping audiology departments, and hosting a forum to discuss a vision of audiology services in SA.en
dc.format.extent742068 bytes
dc.format.extent100807 bytes
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdf
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdf
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10539/4515
dc.language.isoenen
dc.subjectAudiology service delivery auditen
dc.subjectdemographics of audiologists in SAen
dc.subjectaudiology practiceen
dc.titleAudiological practice and service delivery in South Africaen
dc.typeThesisen
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