Evaluation of social resources of adult speech・hearing therapy in 4 prefectures in Shikoku

Abstract

To promote sharing of Information among persons in public health，medicine，welfare，and education who are involved in adult speech・hearing therapy，we carried out a questionnaire survey at relevant institutions in the 4 prefectures in the Shikoku region．The investigated items were(1)number of persons in charge of speech・hearing therapy，(2)places where they perform speech・hearing therapy，(3)the contents of the institution，(4)subjects of service，(5)contents of service，and(6)provision of information．The number of persons in charge of speech・hearing therapy was only 78，the institutions were concentrated in urban areas，and the number of private medical institutions was high．Concerning the contents of service，examination and training were mainly performed for aphasia and kinetic dysarthria．The necessity for provision of information was recognized but not adequately performed．To improve this situation so that“patients with speech・hearing disorders can receive adequate necessary service in the community”，persons with relevant occupations represented by speech・hearing therapists should make efforts to solve these problems．