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

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

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Psychology

VOLUME=Volume 14 - 2023

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1162588

DOI=10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1162588

ISSN=1664-1078

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 towards PCC; ii) determine predictors of these preferences; and iii) describe the understanding and views of PCC among SLP/A in South Africa.
     
Method
A mixed-method design was followed utilising 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 towards 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 towards PCC and iii) PCC exposure.     
     
Discussion     
Positive (age and personality trait openness) and negative (home language and sector of employment) predictors towards PCC exist among speech-language pathologists and audiologists, with an overall general preference towards PCC. Practitioners experience facilitators and barriers towards implementing PCC including the extent of personal experiences, available resources and tools as well as workplace culture. These aspects require further investigation.