Person-centered care: preferences and predictors in speech-language pathology and audiology practitioners

Faheema Mahomed-Asmail; Vera-Genevey Hlayisi; Karin Joubert; Louise Anne Metcalfe; Marien Alet Graham; De Wet Swanepoel

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1162588

Person-centered care: preferences and predictors in speech-language pathology and audiology practitioners

Front Psychol. 2023 Jun 30:14:1162588. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1162588. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Faheema Mahomed-Asmail¹, Vera-Genevey Hlayisi², Karin Joubert³, Louise Anne Metcalfe¹, Marien Alet Graham⁴, De Wet Swanepoel^{1

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Affiliations

¹ Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.
² Division of Communication Science and Disorders, Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
³ Department of Audiology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
⁴ Department of Science, Mathematics and Technology Education, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.
⁵ Ear Science Institute Australia, Subiaco, WA, Australia.
⁶ Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, United States.

Abstract

Introduction: Increasingly person-centered care (PCC) is being recognized as an important aspect of speech-language pathology and audiology (SLP/A) service delivery. This study aimed to (i) identify preferences toward PCC; (ii) determine predictors of these preferences; and (iii) describe the understanding and views of PCC among SLP/A in South Africa.

Methods: A mixed-method design was followed utilizing an online survey and four focus group discussions. The survey included demographic questions, the modified Patient-Practitioner Orientation Scale (mPPOS), the Ten-Item-Personality-Inventory (TIPI) and an open-ended question. The focus group discussions included prompting questions which facilitated an open-ended discussion.

Results: A total of 91 practitioners (39.6% speech-language pathologists) completed the online survey, with nine (44.4% audiologists) participating in the focus group discussions. A high preference toward PCC was noted, with a total mean mPPOS score of 4.6 (0.6 SD). Quantile regression analysis revealed four predictors (age, home language, sector, and personality trait openness) associated with PCC preferences. Three main categories emerged from the open-ended question and focus group discussions: (i) Positive experiences with PCC; (ii) restrictions toward PCC, and (iii) PCC exposure.

Discussion: Positive (age and personality trait openness) and negative (home language and sector of employment) predictors toward PCC exist among speech-language pathologists and audiologists, with an overall general preference toward PCC. Practitioners experience facilitators and barriers toward implementing PCC including the extent of personal experiences, available resources and tools as well as workplace culture. These aspects require further investigation.

Keywords: PCC; audiology; interpersonal attributes; person-centered care; person-centeredness; predictors; preferences; speech-language pathology.

Grants and funding

The authors acknowledge the financial support of the University Capacity Development Programme and the NRF Research Development Grants for Y-Rated Researchers (137794). The funders had no role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.