Medicine
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This repository contains the published and unpublished research of the Faculty of Medicine by the staff members of the faculty
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Item Perception of speech therapists and parents on use of telepractice for paediatric speech therapy in Sri Lanka(Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Kalaniya, Sri Lanka, 2024) Adhikaram, W.K.D.S.Y.; De Silva, M.D.K.The use of communication technology to deliver speech therapy (telepractice) was highly considered during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, a few Speech and Language Therapists (SLTs) and parents engaged in telepractice in Sri Lanka. Therefore, it was essential to identify the factors that encouraged and prevented the successful implementation of telepractice. A descriptive cross-sectional study was followed using a sequential mixed-method approach. Thirty SLTs and sixty-two parents who use telepractice services participated in the study. Quantitative data were collected through a self–administered online survey and analysed using descriptive statistics. The telephone interviews were conducted to obtain qualitative data from five SLTs and ten parents, on which thematic analysis was performed. Sixty percent of SLTs and 84% of parents considered telepractice an effective procedure similar to face–to–face therapy. However, SLTs emphasised that telepractice is applicable, subject to the child’s condition and other factors. Participants’ perception of telepractice was mainly based on their experience. Parent involvement in the speech therapy sessions was found to be high because of the implementation of asynchronous and hybrid modes of telepractice. Providing appropriate training in therapy strategies and educating parents on the use of technology may improve speech therapy services through telepractice in Sri Lanka.Item Experiences and expectations of adults who stutter attending speech and language therapy for stuttering in Sri Lanka.(University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2023) Ampemohotti, A.M.N.L.; Nonis, D.BACKGROUND: Over the years, the role of adults who stutter in stuttering treatment has evolved from being a passive recipient to an ‘expert’ partner in the collaborative therapeutic process. Therefore, understanding the client’s experiences and expectations regarding stuttering treatment has been recognized as an integral element of an effective therapeutic process. Although several global studies have explored the experiences and expectations of adults who stutter in relation to stuttering treatment, it is an uncharted area related to speech and language therapy in the Sri Lankan context. OBJECTIVE/S: The study explored experiences and expectations of adults who stutter attending speech and language therapy in Sri Lanka. METHODS: This study used a generic qualitative approach. Online semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 adults who stutter who were attending or had attended speech and language therapy within the past two years at a state university clinic in Sri Lanka. All interviews were conducted in Sinhala language via Zoom. The interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, translated into English language, and analyzed using a thematic analysis. RESULTS: Four themes emerged from the data: 1) limited awareness of stuttering and its management, 2) impact of stuttering on adults who stutter, 3) experiences of coping with stuttering before attending therapy, and 4) perceptions towards successful management of stuttering. Most of the participants’ experiences before successful management depicted narratives of negative emotions and reactions followed by a lifestyle dominated by avoidance and restriction. The majority of the participants’ expectation of therapy was to improve fluency. Many participants reported that their expectations for therapy were met and that therapy made a positive difference in their lives. Furthermore, the participantsm indicated multiple personal, therapeutic, and social factors that contribute to achieving successful outcomes from therapy. CONCLUSION/S: The current study emphasizes the importance of individualized therapy, designed by considering all the unique perceptions and needs of individuals related to their quality of life to improve the likelihood of successful therapeutic outcomes. The study reveals that being absolutely fluent is not a necessary criterion for the successful management of stuttering. In addition, the findings highlight the need to promote awareness of stuttering and its management and the profession of speech and language therapy among the Sri Lankan public.Item Primary caregivers’ satisfaction on the provision of Speech and Language Therapy services for adults via telehealth in Sri Lankan Clinical Context(University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2022) Ginigaddara, S.N.; Panterliyon, N.A.; Dharmarathna, N.I.Background: With the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth services became prominent as the main mode of service delivery, though it was not promptly practiced in Sri Lanka before. Therefore, speech and language therapists have started using social media platforms and social communication applications to deliver their services. In this context, the current study was conducted to determine the feasibility of utilizing telehealth for speech- language therapy services for adults with communication and swallowing difficulties in Sri Lanka. Mostly, adults with communication and swallowing difficulties may require support from a caregiver to facilitate telehealth sessions. Objectives: The study aimed 1-to determine the primary caregivers’ level of satisfaction on receiving speech- language therapy services for adults via telehealth, 2-to determine the socio-demographic factors which influence the primary caregivers’ level of satisfaction and 3- to identify the advantages and the limitations of telehealth from the perception of the primary caregivers. Methods: A mixed method study was conducted with one hundred and seven (n=107) participants who were identified from the two main adult rehabilitation hospitals and one private clinic in Sri Lanka. Study participants were Sinhala or English-speaking primary caregivers who had assisted the clients in receiving speech-language telehealth services. Every participant was asked to complete a self-administered online questionnaire which includes the adapted version of the "TeleMedicine Perception Questionnaire” (TMPQ), which was used as the main data collection instrument. Participants’ perceptions on the advantages and limitations of telehealth practices and the participants’ suggestions to overcome the limitations were collected as qualitative data. Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS version 26.0 software. Qualitative data analysis was conducted using a simple thematic analysis to identify the themes of advantages and limitations and suggestions of telehealth practice as perceived by the caregivers. Results: The mean total score (mean=75, SD= +2.76) of the TMPQ scale revealed that most of the primary caregivers were satisfied with the service delivered. A significant negative correlation between the age of the primary caregiver and the TMPQ total score was found (r=-.27, p=.006). When comparing the mean TMPQ scores, a significant difference was reported between caregivers who are siblings of the client and caregivers who are the offspring of the client (F (3.103) = 3.107, p = .030). The satisfaction level was more when the caregiver was an offspring (mean= 75.50, SD= + 2.38) of the client than it was a sibling (mean = 72.43, SD = + 4.392). Qualitative thematic analysis revealed cost-effectiveness, time effectiveness and safety of the client due to minimum exposure to COVID were the most common advantages perceived by the primary caregivers in Sri Lanka. Conclusion: According to the researchers’ understanding, this is the first study conducted to evaluate caregivers’ perceptions on telehealth in speech-language therapy in Sri Lanka. As in any other challenging situation, there are novel and innovative approaches that people develop to continue their lifestyle. During this pandemic, the world has witnessed the utilizing of modern technology for improved healthcare provision, including various telehealth practice modes. Even in an under-resourced country like Sri Lanka, the families are satisfied with the care they received for their loved ones through telehealth modes.