The Opinions and Working Experiences of Doctors from Different Branches of Medicine Working in Turkey Concerning Speech and Language Pathologists

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to examine the thoughts, knowledge, collaborative processes, and experiences of doctors in different branches of medicine, as these comprise the occupational groups in which speech-language pathologists/therapists (SLPs) work in interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary capacities. 
 Material and Method: A Google survey was created focusing on the opinions about and working experiences of doctors in different branches of medicine working in Turkey with SLPs. The questionnaire consisted of 18 questions and four parts. 
 Results: The study was conducted with 116 doctors, 28.4% of whom were neurologists, 28.4% were otorhinolaryngologists, 21.6% were pediatricians, and 21.6% were other specialists. Only 25.9% (n=30) have worked with an SLP before. Speech sound disorders, fluent speech disorders, and developmental language disorders were the most frequently chosen SLP study areas among all the specialties in which doctors in all branches of medicine work. The lowest number of doctors chose swallowing disorders, followed by cognitive communication disorders and X-linked language disorders, as the field of work of SLPs.
 Conclusion: It was found that the number of SLPs working in doctors' institutions, the level of cooperation between doctors and SLPs, and doctors' knowledge about the working areas of SLPs were low. It has been observed that physicians' awareness, especially in swallowing and cognitive communication disorders, is lacking. A strong partnership between physicians and SLPs is vital for appropriate service delivery to patients. For this reason, the number of SLPs working in institutions should be increased, as should the level of knowledge among doctors in different branches of medicine concerning SLPs’ services.