Determination Of The Awareness Of Final-Year Nursing Department Students Toward Speech And Language Therapists

Authors : Merve Nur Sarıyer, Dilara Karaahmetoğlu, Gülşen Ulaş Karaahmetoğlu

Pages : 84-91

View : 80 | Download : 87

Publication Date : 2025-07-28

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Introduction: Speech and language therapy is an emerging field in our country’s healthcare system, with speech and language therapists collaborating with various disciplines, including the nursing department. This study aims to assess the awareness of final-year nursing students regarding speech and language therapists. The study is descriptive in nature. Method: This is a cross-sectional study conducted with senior students from the Nursing Department of the Faculty of Health Sciences at Kastamonu University (N=109). Data were collected using a questionnaire designed to measure awareness of speech and language therapy. Descriptive statistics, the chi-square test, and Fisher\\\'s exact chi-square test were employed for data analysis, with a significance level of p<0.05. Results: In the study, it was found that 85.3% of the participants had knowledge about speech and language therapy, and 66.7% had obtained this information from social media. Additionally, 63.3% of the nursing students stated that speech and language therapists hold a bachelor\\\'s degree. Moreover, 98.2% reported that speech and language therapists work with school-aged children, 87.2% with preschool children, 78.0% with adolescents, and 61.1% with adults. Furthermore, 100% stated that speech and language therapists work with speech disorders, 96.3% with stuttering, 78.0% with autism, 76.1% with cleft lip and palate, and 73.4% with voice disorders. Conclusion: The study revealed insufficient awareness among nursing students regarding speech and language disorders and their areas of practice. To improve awareness, it is recommended to integrate interprofessional courses into the nursing curriculum, organize case presentations with healthcare teams, and hold seminars.
Keywords : Konuşma, dil terapisi, hemşirelik öğrencileri, farkındalık

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