22nd Annual Student Research Conference
Assessing Geriatric Access to Speech and Hearing Services in Northeast Missouri
Patricia L. Siemann
Dr. Paula Cochran and Dr. Janet Gooch, Faculty Mentors
The purpose of this project was to assess the availability of speech, language, hearing and swallowing services to the geriatric population of northeast Missouri (NEMO). NEMO is a region made up entirely of rural counties. This frequently poses a problem of limited access to healthcare for residents. However, with new technologies, healthcare professionals can reach clients remotely by way of telehealth, in which video and audio travel in real time, connecting the clinician and the client face-to-face. The Truman State University Speech and Hearing Clinic is part of the Northeast Missouri Telehealth Network and is the only facility of its type on the statewide Missouri Telehealth Network. The present project surveyed 70 health care providers working with the elderly in NEMO, especially in locations near existing telehealth sites. Respondents were asked about perceived need for, access and barriers to services in NEMO. Results will be presented with implications.
Keywords: communication disorders, geriatric healthcare, telehealth, speech, language, hearing, swallowing
Topic(s):Communication Disorders
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 40-1
Location: VH 1236
Time: 1:15