Purpose: The profession of speech and language therapy having a common ground with many fields of medicine and other health sciences is a developing, interdisciplinary, and multi-disciplinary field in Turkey. Speech and language therapists cooperate with different medical doctors such as neurologists, plastic surgeons, orthodontists, pediatricians, as well as other healthcare professionals such as audiologists and physiotherapists. Speech and language therapists also work with otolaryngologists in many areas, particularly voice disorders. The aim of this study is to evaluate the views of otolaryngologists towards speech language therapists working in voice disorders. Method: A questionnaire including 27 items about views of otolaryngologists has been sent online to otolaryngologists working in Turkey. Data has been analyzed with SPSS 23.0 in which descriptive analyses and chi-square analyses have been used. Results: 42 otolaryngologists participated in the study. They had been working as otolaryngologist for an average of 11.7 (min=1; max= 33) years. 45.2 % of otolaryngologists had the idea that 50-100 hours of practice was required for a speech and language therapists to be competent in the field of voice disorders. 57.1% of otolaryngologists declared that they currently worked with a speech and language therapists. Moreover, all the participants (100%) stated that they always referred patients with voice disorders to a speech and language therapist. Vocal fold nodules, muscle tension dysphonia and puberphonia were the most frequently referred voice disorders by otolaryngologists. 95.1% of participants thought that speech and language therapists helped patients with voice disorders produce correct and effective phonation. The percentage of otolaryngologist who agreed with the item "Voice therapy conducted by speech and language therapists are the first treatment option in the treatment of vocal nodules." was 88%. 73.8% of the otolaryngologists agreed with the idea that speech and language therapists should play a role together with otolaryngologists in the diagnosis of voice disorders. It was statistically significant that physicians working with a speech and language therapist have a more positive view of the therapists’ use of imaging assessment tools such as videolaryngostroboscopy compared to those who do not work (2 = 4.436, p=.0035). Conclusion: As a result, it can be concluded that otolaryngologists working with speech and language therapists are professionals who are more open to cooperation, share patients, and work in a trust-based manner, knowing their professional boundaries. It is thought that professionals who know each other’s professional field and responsibility will provide better and more effective services through interdisciplinary work.
Keywords
speech and language therapy, speech and language therapist, otolaryngologists, voice disorders, interdisciplinary works
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