Parents' perceptions on speech therapy delivery models in children with a cleft palate: A mixed methods study.

PURPOSE: This study investigated parents' perceptions on two different speech therapy delivery models in children with a CP ± L, namely an innovative high intensity speech intervention (i.e. HISI: 10 1-h sessions divided over 2 weeks) and a low intensity speech intervention (i.e. LISI: 10 1-h sessions divided over 10 weeks).

METHOD: Twelve parents of 12 children who received HISI (n = 6) or LISI (n = 6) were contacted with the request to participate to this study to review their opinion on the received therapy. Participation included the completion of a questionnaire containing items related to satisfaction, speech progress, intervention intensity and frequency, transfer, and need for further speech therapy. Additionally, semi-structured interviews were carried out. The interviews were analyzed using an inductive thematic approach.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences between the two groups in satisfaction with the "general speech therapy, "duration of one speech therapy session", "total intervention duration" and "degree of improvement of speech intelligibility". Following HISI, parents perceived more improvement in terms of spontaneous speech and better resolution of the speech disorders. The interviews revealed 3 themes of importance to the parents: (1) treatment-related expectations, (2) treatment-related burden, and (3) patient-therapist relationship. Parents in the HISI group reported two concerns: (1) the lack of variation when receiving daily intervention, and (2) the emotional burden when the child is confronted with his/her speech disorder on a daily basis.

CONCLUSIONS

Parents were equally satisfied with the provided intervention. Parents in the HISI group perceived more speech progress following the intervention compared to parents in the LISI group. The intensive contact with the speech pathologist enhanced the patient-therapist relationship. To support a cultural shift away from low intensity therapy delivery models, it will be important to counsel and inform parents of the benefits of HISI and to counterbalance concerns.