Caregivers’ Feedback after Enrollment in the Community-Based Speech Therapy Model
Ratchanee Mitkitti PhD*, Benjamas Prathanee PhD**
Affiliation : * School of Nursing, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, Thailand ** Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
Background : Khon Kaen University Community-Based Speech Therapy Model (KKUCSM) was conducted between 2012
and 2013 in Chiang Rai. Children with cleft lip and palate (CLP) and speech assistants (SAs) enrolled four-day intensive and
five one-day follow-up speech camps that were run by speech and language pathologists (SLPs). KKUCSM focused on
quantity of reduction of articulation errors. Therefore, it is necessary to find reflection sounds from children with CLP’s
caregivers for improving health care processes and services.
Objective : To evaluate caregivers’ reflection sounds after enrollment in the KKUCSM for a year.
Material and Method: Data were collected by a focus group discussion and in-depth interviews among 20 mothers, 4
grandmothers, and 2 siblings. Participants were divided into two groups, i.e., caregivers who did and did not enroll in speech
camps. Focus group discussions obtained 45 minutes per group. Content analysis was used for data summary.
Results : Caregivers who enrolled in the KKUCSM told that their children with CLP were very happy with their peers. They
had high self-esteem, self-confidence, good health, and academic achievement. Caregivers expected that their children could
have independent living. On the other hand, caregivers who did not enroll in the KKUCSM felt that their children with CLP
had low self-esteem and confidence to communicate with other people. The caregivers’ concerns with their children involved
image, family genetic, illness, psychosocial problems, relationship with other people, and articulation errors.
Conclusion : KKUCSM mainly provided speech correction and indirectly supported children with CLP’s quality of life (QOL)
in psychosocial aspects and academic achievement. KKUCSM also relieved anxiety and improved family economic status.
Keywords : Reflection sounds, Speech therapy model, Community base, Cleft palate, Caregivers
