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Speech-Language Therapy Staffing for Pediatric and Adult Patient Care in High-Complexity Hospitals in Chile

Authors

  • Felipe Gonzalo Rosales Lillo Universidad del Desarrollo https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0968-1944
  • Nicole B. Vargas Universidad de las Américas https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2764-9136
  • Carolina Carrera Sáez Universidad de las Américas
  • Anaís Mancilla Lespai Universidad de las Américas
  • Scherly Orellana Araya Universidad de las Américas
  • Juliette Pilgrim Hidalgo Universidad de las Américas
  • Mabel Villegas Orellana Universidad de las Américas
Vol. 22 No. 1 (2023)
https://doi.org/10.5354/0719-4692.2023.69369

Abstract

Introduction: The Chilean Ministry of Health has developed a proposal to determine the number of professionals in health settings according to the number and type of clinical beds, for attending both hospitalised and ambulatory patients. That proposal differs with the international suggestions, which recommend one Speech Therapist per 10 clinical beds, or even more depending on each health institution. In Chile, there is just one study on this topic, which studied the number of Speech Therapists for attending hospitalised-adult patients in high-complex hospitals. Aim: To determine the Speech Therapists and the number of hours per week required for attending adults and paediatrics patients in Chilean high-complex hospitals. Methods: A descriptive, observational and transversal study was performed, including all the clinical beds available during 2022 in high-complex hospitals, for attending adults and paediatrics patients. Results: 64 high-complex hospitals were included. Of the total of Speech Therapists required, the Metropolitan region needs a 37,71%, then, the Valparaiso region a 9,60%, and the Bío-Bío region a 9,22%. 19,613.26 hours per week are required for attending both adults and paediatrics patients in high-complex hospitals. Conclusion: Considering the number and type of the clinical beds per hospital, a total of 504 Speech Therapists are required in Chile. Of them, 445 for a journey of 44 hours per week, 17 for 33 hours, 13 for 22 hours, and 29 for 11 hours. It is suggested to calculate the gap between the hours required per week per hospital, and the real contracted hours in health settings.

Keywords:

Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, Health Planning Guidelines, Health Facilities, Hospital Administration

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How to Cite
Rosales Lillo, F. G., Vargas, N. B., Carrera Sáez, C. ., Mancilla Lespai, A. ., Orellana Araya, S. ., Pilgrim Hidalgo, J. ., & Villegas Orellana, M. . (2023). Speech-Language Therapy Staffing for Pediatric and Adult Patient Care in High-Complexity Hospitals in Chile. Revista Chilena De Fonoaudiología, 22(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.5354/0719-4692.2023.69369
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Revista Chilena de Fonoaudiología
Facultad de Medicina
Universidad de Chile
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