Increasing Communication Effectiveness Between English-Speaking Clinicians and Bosnian-Speaking Clients

Friday, 3:00pm to 5:00pm
Rooms 60/61
ST4
This two part descriptive study aimed to create a cultural model that will increase communication effectiveness between English-speaking speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and Bosnian-speaking clients. Part one of the study examined whether there are consistent themes in how Bosnian individuals view different factors that involve speech-language therapy. Part two of the study examined the tools Bosnian-speaking individuals and English-speaking SLPs would find beneficial to increase communication effectiveness during therapy sessions. Participants completed a questionnaire to obtain detailed demographic information. A live interview of selected participants examined their view of disability, speech and language disorders, gender, age and communication styles, use of interpreters and preferred manner of exchanging information related to health/therapy services. The themes emerging from the interviews will be discussed, along with ways that SLPs may enhance service delivery to this population.
Track: 
Adult