Family Centeredness of Speech and Language Pathology Practices in an Underdeveloped Context: Parents’ Perception and Professionals’ Satisfaction

Abstract

Introduction: Family-centered model of service delivery has received growing recognition around the world for effective sensitization and adaptation of families with children having speech and language related disorders in rehabilitation programs. Aims: The aim of the study was to understand the extended perception of parents of the current practice model in speech pathology from a relational and participatory practice perspective as well as parent-professionals’ satisfaction on service delivery as a family-centered care model in Bangladesh. Methods and Participants: A quantitative method was undertaken to explore parent-professionals belief of relative satisfaction based on parents’ education status and professionals work setting variation. Furthermore, the relationship of the extended aspects of family centered care with parents’ education and economic status with a descriptive analysis of parents’ perception was done. A total of 24 speech-language pathologists and 111 parents participated in this study. Results: Satisfactory outcome was not observed for parents from existing speech pathology programs. Dissatisfactory perception of every aspect of family-centered care was found. Parents’ educational status was significantly related to their perception of individual aspects of this model. Professional satisfaction within a family-centered model was on a positive side which indicated a strong negative relationship with parents (r = -.563, p< .05). Conclusion: Parents’ perception of the service-delivery defines the current practice to be more of a professional-centered model. By addressing concerned areas, a shift from current practice is required in speech pathology practice in Bangladesh.