Building bridges: the integral presence of audiologists and speech-language pathologists in comprehensive interprofessional primary care teams.

Abstract

Aim: This article provides an overview of the professional roles of audiologists and speech-language pathologists (S-LPs) in interprofessional primary care.

Background: Current published literature considering primary care delivery within comprehensive interprofessional teams contains little representation of professionals from the fields of audiology and speech-language pathology.

Methods: An illustrative case scenario highlights the key roles of audiologists and S-LPs in primary care, and how collaborative relationships within an interprofessional primary care team structure can enhance the overall quality of care provided to patients and to their families.

Findings: As experts in the prevention, diagnosis, and rehabilitation of communication disorders, with S-LPs supporting speech and swallowing disorders and audiologists supporting hearing and vestibular disorders, S-LPs and audiologists are well-positioned to support meaningful participation in primary care across the lifespan and in collaboration with different healthcare professionals, including patients experiencing cognitive decline.