title: Maximizing health literacy and client recall in a developing context: speech-language therapist and client perspectives.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In the field of speech-language therapy, limited research has been conducted with regards to health literacy and client recall. However, speech-language therapists frequently provide a considerable amount of information for clients to understand, apply and review in order to manage their (or their child's) health.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to investigate (1) issues around clients' health literacy and recall of information; and (2) how these issues can be overcome in speech-language therapy in a developing context.
  
  
  METHODS
  An exploratory study was undertaken with specific focus on speech-language therapists and their clients who had previously received treatment for dysphagia, voice disorders (including laryngectomies), and cleft lip and/or palate management. They were recruited at public tertiary hospitals and primary healthcare clinics in Cape Town, South Africa. Data were gathered through focus group discussions and qualitatively analysed using a content-driven immersion/crystallization style.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Five themes and 13 subthemes were identified. Speech-language therapists currently use mostly low-technology strategies to manage issues of health literacy and client recall, and frequently view poor outcomes as being related to clients themselves and a lack of compliance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An understanding of context, intercultural health literacy and client-provider concordance are important factors that should inform the clinical practice of speech-language therapy. There is a need to develop effective strategies for information provision and review post-consultation. Speech-language therapists have an important mediating role in cross-cultural communication.
authors: Division of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Cape Town, South Africa. friderike.svw@gmail.com
authors: Friderike Schmidt
authors: FS
authors: von Wühlisch
authors: Michelle
authors: M
authors: Pascoe
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003469:Culture; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D017144:Focus Groups; D057220:Health Literacy / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006292:Health Priorities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D011939:Mental Recall; D008960:Models, Psychological; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D013064:Speech Disorders / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D013070:Speech Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D014832:Voice Disorders / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation