title: Speech and language therapy model for children with cleft lip/palate in Lao People's Democratic Republic.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Surgical treatment can reduces disfigurement for children with cleft lip/palate (CLP); however, most children have persistent speech and language problems especially if speech and language services are not available in underserviced and/or developing regions and countries. Children in such areas cannot reach appropriate and timely speech therapy services.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To establish a speech and language therapy model in Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), by combining the principles of Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR), Primary Health Care (PHC) and institutional medical approaches.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participatory workshops during which a speech and language therapy model would be developed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A speech and language therapy model for children with CLP in Lao PDR was established based upon the existing healthcare system and regional context.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A speech and language therapy model should be implemented among children with CLP in Lao PDR as well as other developing countries where there is a paucity of speech and language therapy services.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand. bprathanee@gmail.com
authors.forename: Benjamas
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Prathanee
authors.forename: Tawitree
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pumnum
authors.forename: Pechcharat
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jaiyong
authors.forename: Cholada
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Seepuaham
authors.forename: Vieng
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Xayasin
mesh_terms: D002971:Cleft Lip / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007808:Language Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D007812:Laos; D013070:Speech Therapy / Q000379:methods*