Culturally Responsive Practices Among Speech–Language Pathologists in Saudi Arabia: Knowledge, Skills, Training Experiences and Attitudes

IF 2.1 3区医学 Q2 AUDIOLOGY & SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY

International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders Pub Date : 2025-07-02 DOI:10.1111/1460-6984.70078

Mohammed Almutairi

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

Saudi Arabia (SA) is a culturally and linguistically diverse nation, with 41.6% of its population comprising non-Saudis from varied backgrounds. This diversity emphasizes the importance of culturally responsive practices (CRPs) in addressing the distinct needs of multicultural individuals. Within SA, speech–language pathologists (SLPs) often encounter clients from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds, requiring tailored approaches to assessment and intervention. Despite the importance of CRPs in ensuring equitable and effective SLP services, no known studies have explored CRPs among SLPs in SA.

Aims

This study aimed to explore the training, attitudes, skills, knowledge and facilitators related to CRPs among SLPs in SA.

Methods and Procedures

SLPs in SA were invited to participate in this mixed-methods study through an electronic survey. The survey consisted of 27 questions designed to gather information on demographics, training, attitudes, skills, knowledge and facilitators related to CRPs. Responses were collected over 6 weeks. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively, while qualitative data were examined using inductive content analysis to identify themes and subthemes.

Outcomes and Results

Findings showed that SLPs in SA had positive attitudes towards CRPs and reported confidence in their CRP-related skills. However, responses revealed three areas of CRP-related knowledge that need further development: health literacy, understanding specific disorders and diseases with higher prevalence in different ethnic groups that contribute to speech and language issues, and the impact of acculturation on communication. Most participants reported receiving training related to CRP concepts. Additionally, four themes were identified as facilitators to enhance the implementation of CRPs.

Conclusions and Implications

Overall, SLPs in SA reported positive attitudes towards CRPs and self-reported confidence in applying CRP-related skills, suggesting potential competency in serving diverse clients and students. However, specific areas of CRP knowledge require further development, highlighting the need for targeted training in the future. Researchers are encouraged to consider the identified facilitators and explore how implementing these practices may impact service delivery and client experiences.

WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS

What is already known on the subject

CRPs are widely recognized as essential in SLP to ensure equitable and effective service delivery for multicultural individuals. Previous studies have highlighted the importance of cultural considerations in healthcare and education fields; however, these have primarily focused on other professions rather than SLP. In SA, research has noted challenges related to the shortage of culturally and linguistically relevant tools, leading SLPs to create informal alternatives. However, no known studies have examined the training, attitudes, skills, knowledge and facilitators related to CRPs among SLPs in SA.

What this paper adds to the existing knowledge

This study offers insights into CRPs in SLP practice, emphasizing areas for improvement and facilitators for growth. It explores academic and professional dimensions to identify factors that strengthen CRP practices, including areas for further knowledge development and facilitators encountered by SLPs. Furthermore, the findings address a critical gap in the literature by providing a clearer understanding of SLPs' attitudes, skills and knowledge related to CRPs in SA. The study also contributes to global discussions on CRPs by offering an SLP perspective to inform responsive approaches, enhance the implementation of CRPs, and inspire future research in diverse regions and fields.

What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work?

To enhance CRPs among SLPs in educational and medical settings, it is necessary to strengthen CRP-related knowledge. This enhancement promotes more personalized services and better communication outcomes for clients and students from diverse backgrounds. Additionally, this study identified key facilitators that support the effective implementation of CRPs, further improving the quality of SLP services for individuals from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.

查看原文本刊更多论文

沙特阿拉伯语言病理学家的文化响应实践：知识、技能、培训经验和态度

沙特阿拉伯（SA）是一个文化和语言多样化的国家，41.6%的人口由不同背景的非沙特人组成。这种多样性强调了文化响应实践（CRPs）在解决多元文化个体的独特需求方面的重要性。在SA中，语言病理学家（slp）经常遇到来自不同文化和语言背景的客户，需要量身定制的方法来评估和干预。尽管crp在确保公平和有效的SLP服务方面很重要，但没有已知的研究探讨了SA SLP中的crp。目的本研究旨在探讨南南非地区特殊教育工作者的培训、态度、技能、知识和促进因素。方法和程序通过电子调查的方式邀请SA的slp参与这项混合方法的研究。该调查包括27个问题，旨在收集与crp相关的人口统计、培训、态度、技能、知识和促进者的信息。问卷收集时间为6周。定量数据进行描述性分析，而定性数据使用归纳内容分析来确定主题和次主题。结果和结果研究结果表明，SA的slp对crp有积极的态度，并报告了他们对crp相关技能的信心。然而，答复揭示了需要进一步发展的三个与crp有关的知识领域：健康素养、了解在不同族裔群体中发病率较高、导致言语和语言问题的特定失调和疾病，以及文化适应对沟通的影响。大多数参与者报告接受了与CRP概念相关的培训。此外，确定了四个主题作为促进crp实施的因素。结论和启示总体而言，南澳的特殊教育学生报告了对crp的积极态度和自我报告的对应用crp相关技能的信心，表明他们在服务不同的客户和学生方面具有潜在的能力。然而，CRP知识的特定领域需要进一步发展，这突出了未来有针对性培训的必要性。鼓励研究人员考虑已确定的促进因素，并探索实施这些实践如何影响服务交付和客户体验。本文补充的内容：关于该主题的已知内容，crp被广泛认为是SLP中必不可少的，以确保为多元文化个体提供公平有效的服务。以前的研究强调了文化因素在医疗保健和教育领域的重要性；然而，这些主要集中在其他职业，而不是SLP。在SA中，研究指出了与缺乏文化和语言相关工具相关的挑战，导致slp创造非正式的替代方案。然而，目前还没有研究对南澳大利亚地区特殊教育工作者的培训、态度、技能、知识和促进因素进行调查。本研究为SLP实践中的crp提供了见解，强调了改进的领域和增长的促进因素。它探讨了学术和专业的维度，以确定加强CRP实践的因素，包括进一步知识发展的领域和slp遇到的促进因素。此外，研究结果填补了文献中的一个关键空白，提供了对SA中与crp相关的slp的态度、技能和知识的更清晰的理解。该研究还通过提供SLP视角，为响应性方法提供信息，加强crp的实施，并启发未来在不同地区和领域的研究，从而促进全球对crp的讨论。这项工作的潜在或实际临床意义是什么？为了提高教育和医疗环境中slp的crp水平，有必要加强crp相关知识。这一改进为来自不同背景的客户和学生提供了更个性化的服务和更好的沟通结果。此外，本研究确定了支持crp有效实施的关键促进因素，进一步提高了来自不同文化和语言背景的个人的SLP服务质量。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders AUDIOLOGY & SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY-REHABILITATION

CiteScore

3.30

自引率

12.50%

发文量

116

审稿时长

6-12 weeks

期刊介绍： The International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders (IJLCD) is the official journal of the Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists. The Journal welcomes submissions on all aspects of speech, language, communication disorders and speech and language therapy. It provides a forum for the exchange of information and discussion of issues of clinical or theoretical relevance in the above areas.