Parent and caregiver perspectives on paediatric telehealth speech-language therapy services in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background: Telehealth is critical in delivering healthcare services (e.g., speech and language therapy (SLT)). Aims: The perspectives of caregivers and parents regarding paediatric telehealth SLT services in Saudi Arabia were assessed in four research questions covering the benefits, weaknesses, challenges, and delivery preferences for paediatric telehealth SLT services. Methods and procedures: Mixed-methods research (e.g., online survey, interviews) was used in the study design. Parents and caregivers of children with speech or language disorders receiving telehealth SLT services were surveyed. Fifty-three participants completed the online survey, with two telephone follow-ups interviews. Results: One group of participants discussed good experiences and perceptions, and the other examined negative attitudes towards telehealth SLT services. Paediatric telehealth SLT services were reported benefits to increase accessibility, family engagement and parent coaching, but decreased hands-on training time with the therapist and behavioural issues of the children were the reported weaknesses. Lack of physical contact and attention of children were also challenges. Overall, the participants preferred face-to-face (FTF) delivery of paediatric telehealth SLT services. Conclusion and implications: Participants were satisfied with paediatric telehealth SLT services—all of which could be indicative of the feasibility and acceptability of telehealth SLT services. Significant benefits of telehealth SLT were their accessibility and availability. These weaknesses and challenges might vary slightly depending on country, culture, and experience and attitude towards telehealth SLT services in general. The most prominent finding was that parents and caregivers prefer FTF sessions but did not oppose the hybrid delivery concept of paediatric SLT services.