Thesis (M. Communication Pathology)--University of Pretoria, 2005. / Summary in English and Afrikaans. Includes bibliographical references.

The demands made on the profession of audiology by substantial theoretical, clinical and technological developments are extensive, resulting in an increased and specialised scope of practice. Professional bodies and tertiary institutions in the United States have responded to these demands by suggesting that the Clinical Doctorate in Audiology (Au.D.) be made the minimal entry-level into the profession. In South Africa, the minimum entry-level into the profession is a 4-year professional undergraduate degree. No consensus regarding how to deal with the demands of an increasing scope of practice has been reached and as a result there is currently a lack of consistency in training programmes and registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). While the HPCSA recognizes speechlanguage pathology and audiology as independent and autonomous professions, the two occupations are inextricably linked due to the historical evolution of training programmes in South Africa. This study investigated the perceptions of audiologists regarding the adequacy of undergraduate academic and clinical training in audiology and questioned the need for educational reform. A parallel study, which used the same research tool, documented an audit of audiological service delivery (Naidoo, 2006). A total of 284 responses (a response rate of 18.93%) were obtained from a self-administered postal questionnaire sent to professionals registered with the HPCSA. The sample was representative of all universities offering undergraduate training programmes and professionals working in all provinces. All workplaces were represented with an equal distribution between audiologists employed in the private and public sectors. Results of the study indicated that undergraduate training programmes were perceived as not providing adequate training in the fields of amplification, vestibular testing, practice management, supervision and the audiological management of persons infected with HIV/AIDS. The results of an audit of service delivery (Naidoo, 2006) confirmed that the majority of audiologists perform only basic testing and few provide advanced diagnostic services. The results of this study showed that audiologists felt most adequately prepared for basic audiology procedures and paediatric audiology, but only somewhat prepared for diagnostic testing and amplification. The majority of respondents indicated that they intend to maintain dual-registration with the HPCSA through Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and would prefer to study an undergraduate degree in speech-language pathology and audiology as opposed to a degree in speech-language pathology or audiology. Respondents were unable to identify core areas of audiology that were appropriate to be taught at undergraduate degree. The United States model of a Clinical Doctorate in Audiology (AuD) was rejected as the majority of respondents expressed the opinion that an undergraduate degree is appropriate as an entry-level into the profession of audiology. The results of the research are felt to be an accurate depiction of the status quo of the profession of audiology in South Africa, and do not negate the need for educational reform. .

A research report presented to the Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology, Faculty of Arts, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree Master of Arts in Speech- Language Pathology by Coursework / Health care professionals are expected to apply ethical principles such as nonmaleficence, beneficence, autonomy and justice in their teaching of students and treatment of clients. Speech Pathologists and Audiologists (SPAs) in South Africa are responsible not only for educating members of their profession, but are often also involved in the training of Community Rehabilitation Workers (CRWs). Hence the aim of the present study was to explore the experiences, opinions and attitudes of a group of SPAs and CRW co-ordinators with particular reference to ethical issues related to CRW training. In order to investigate this aim. an interview schedule followed by a questionnaire were administered to SPA and CRW co-ordinators who had been involved in CRW training at The Wits/Tinstwalo CRW Training Programme in Gazankulu and at The Institute Of Urban Primary Health Care in Alexandra Township. Data elicited from the interview were analysed using content analysis and responses categorized according to respondents' background in ethics and knowledge regarding ethical principles. Results are discussed in terms of their implications for SPA and CRW co-ordinators. / Andrew Chakane 2018

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1961. / Typescript. Vita. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 54-55).

M.Com. / Please refer to full text to view abstract

ABSTRACT The Audiology profession in South Africa appears to be lacking direction. Many challenges to Audiology service delivery are said to exist. However, no official national investigation regarding the range of audiological services provided has been conducted. The purpose of this study was to investigate at a national level, the demographics of Audiologists in SA, to conduct an audit of service delivery, and to identify issues impacting on audiology service delivery. Respondents were requested to indicate reasons for non-provision of audiology services. Research participants included all South African qualified Speech-Language and Hearing Therapists, Audiologists, Speech Therapist and community service graduates currently registered with the Health Professional Council of South Africa. A cross-sectional ex post facto, descriptive survey research design within the quantitative paradigm was selected. Descriptive statistics were utilised to analyse the data and were presented to display service delivery provided by respondents employed in the private and public sectors. Results: A significant difference in professional registration and practice was evident. The audit of service delivery revealed that the provision of advanced diagnostic audiology procedures, paediatric audiology services as well as rehabilitation services was significantly lacking. Audiology service delivery in both the public and private sector were analogous. The lack of equipment was a central reason for the non-provision of services amongst all respondents. Key issues influencing service delivery included the lack of knowledge by associated professionals and the public, delayed referrals, limited budgets, lack of staffing, and restrictions regarding advertisements. Conclusion: The profession of audiology in SA is under transition. The scope of audiology service delivery is slowing moving towards the implementation of advanced diagnostic audiology services however support from associated professionals is lacking. To this end the Audiology profession in SA must focus on advertisement and marketing regarding the range and clinical relevance of audiological services available. Future directions for the profession include the development of unified test protocols and norms, forming data bases, equipping audiology departments, and hosting a forum to discuss a vision of audiology services in SA.

Title from PDF of title page. / Professional research project (Au.D.)--University of South Florida, 2000. / Document formatted into pages; contains 19 p. / Includes bibliographical references. / Text (Electronic thesis) in PDF format. / ABSTRACT: Eligibility reform in the VA and the resulting increased caseloads have brought about unacceptable wait times for new audiology appointments. Mandates to decrease wait times without increased resources have brought new demands on audiology clinics. One proposed solution is the addition of audiology technicians to VA audiology clinic practice. The first purpose of this study was to survey the attitudes of VA audiologists and service chiefs regarding the use of technicians. The second purpose was to ask the survey respondents to assign as generally appropriate or inappropriate, job duties which might be accomplished by an audiology technician. Following a pre-survey to pilot the questionnaire, the final survey was e-mailed to all members of a national e-mail group. Ninety-three acceptable responses were analyzed. The survey responses indicate that a large majority of the respondents hold positive attitudes concerning the use of technicians, believe technicians can accomplish some duties now done by audiologists and believe technicians can help reduce current appointment backlogs. The respondents assigned a number of clerical, assistive, minor hearing aid repair and other duties as appropriate for technicians and many testing, evaluation, programming, and perceived professional duties as inappropriate for technicians. There were several items which were not clearly assigned as either appropriate or inappropriate technician duties. Open-ended responses indicated that strong feelings, both positive and negative, exist within the audiology and service chief community. The survey results will be used to develop an audiology technician job description and to identify specific training needs for establishing audiology technician positions throughout the VA healthcare system. / System requirements: World Wide Web browser and PDF reader. / Mode of access: World Wide Web.

Thesis (M. Ed.)--York University, 2003. Graduate Programme in Education. / Typescript. Name on certificate page : P. Lynn Caruso. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 130-140). Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser by entering the following URL: http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/yorku/fullcit?pMQ82910.

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