Compulsory community service for speech-language and hearing therapy professionals : readiness, reality and readjustment

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Compulsory Community Service for the speech-language and hearing therapy professionwas implemented in 2003. This is the first study to assess the perceptions, attitudes andexperiences of speech-language and hearing professionals of Stellenbosch Universitydoing Compulsory Community Service. Information on the experiences of CompulsoryCommunity Service professionals inform on the responsibilities of the university whereundergraduate studies are completed, the Department of Health (the employer) andprofessionals doing Community Service. A mixed method study design, using a scalequestionnaire, supplemented by open-ended questions was completed by all but one ofthe group doing Compulsory Community Service in 2009. Results suggested that speechlanguageand hearing therapists perceived themselves to have the required knowledge,but not necessarily adequate skills to perform Compulsory Community Service.Suggestions to include additional curriculum content were made. All professionalsagreed that a positive contribution was made during Compulsory Community Service, butconcerns about the shortage of speech-language and hearing therapy services, absence ofmentors and supervision, inadequate budgets, amenities and resources were identified.Readjustment must involve adaptation from all stakeholders to ensure that CompulsoryCommunity Service honours its original objectives.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University