How do speech-language pathologists assess speech production through telehealth?

Abstract

Purpose to verify if, due to the pandemic, clinical speech therapists perform teleservice, if they carry out speech assessments using the virtual environment and how they are doing it, as well as which instruments they use. Methods the sample consisted of 271 clinical speech therapists in the country. An online questionnaire was sent with questions about their education and professional performance, speech therapy services (assessment, monitoring and therapy) and speech assessments through Telehealth, that is, if they were performing care and assessment through this means and how they were doing it. Data were analyzed descriptively. Results Most speech therapists who participated in the study were providing assistance through Telehealth. However, only a small group of professionals performed speech assessment in this modality, using spontaneous speech as a data collection method, pictures for naming, instruments adapted for the virtual environment – ABFW and AFC, videos sent by family members, among others. Furthermore, more than half of the speech therapists believe that it is feasible to carry out speech assessment using Telehealth. However, they consider that the evaluation by this means does not have the same effectiveness as the face-to-face evaluation. Conclusion Telehealth, although not widespread in Brazil, has speech therapist professionals working in this modality. In this sense, there is a need to adapt assessment instruments for virtual application, in addition to improving the infrastructure (audio, video, support and internet network).