Abstract
In Japan, very few ENT clinics have speech-language-hearing therapists (ST). This study sought to answer two questions: (1) what needs for support by an ST exist in the communities around ENT clinics?; and (2) what are the roles of the ST at ENT clinics? The research method was a retrospective analysis of our medical records. Our ENT clinic patients had problems mainly of delayed language development, articulation disorder, stuttering, and hearing loss due to aging. The ST at ENT clinics requires a wide range of expertise. In most cases our patients visited us after checking our websites and signboards spontaneously. There were some cases in which patients came from remote places for speech therapy. Our results showed that there is strong demand for an ST working at the ENT clinic. The ST at an ENT clinic should be easily accessible, capable of responding to various needs, and able to liaise with more specialized institutions. Collaborations between ENT doctors and the ST can improve the quality of medical care. Therefore, it is necessary to increase the number of STs working in ENT clinics. There are various issues needing to be resolved in order to employ an ST at an ENT clinic: e.g., equipment, costs, ST training system, etc.
