Original Research

South African speech-language therapists’ and audiologists’ professional quality of life

Victor M. de Andrade, Cherilyn da Silva, Nickey Israel
South African Journal of Communication Disorders | Vol 71, No 1 | a1042 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/sajcd.v71i1.1042 | © 2024 Victor M. de Andrade, Cherilyn da Silva, Nicky Israel | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 23 February 2024 | Published: 23 August 2024

About the author(s)

Victor M. de Andrade, Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology, Faculty of Humanities, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
Cherilyn da Silva, Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology, Faculty of Humanities, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
Nickey Israel, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa

Abstract

Background: Limited research is available regarding the professional quality of life experiences of South African speech-language therapists and audiologists, despite the implications this has for wellbeing, quality of patient care, productivity and attrition from the professions.

Objectives: This study explored levels of compassion satisfaction, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress, the relationships between these, differences on the basis of registration and years of experience and participants’ perceptions of their professional quality of life.

Method: A sample of 92 South African speech-language therapists and audiologists completed an online survey that included the Professional Quality of Life (ProQOL) scale. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, analysis of variation (ANOVA), correlations and thematic analysis.

Results: The findings indicated that participants experienced slightly higher levels of secondary traumatic stress and burnout and slightly lower levels of compassion satisfaction than international samples. There were significant inter-relationships between the three elements of professional quality of life, and no significant differences for these on the basis of registration or years of experience. Participants identified a range of factors that contributed to their experiences of compassion satisfaction and fatigue, as well as suggestions for improvement.

Conclusion: Professional quality of life plays an important role in South African speech-language therapists and audiologists’ professionalism, job performance and satisfaction and retention.

Contribution: The data collected provide valuable insights into the professional quality of life experiences of South African speech-language therapists and audiologists, as well as those working in similar contexts. It also offers suggestions that may contribute to future research and interventions.


Keywords

professional quality of life; speech-language therapists; audiologists; compassion satisfaction; burnout; secondary traumatic stress; South Africa; compassion fatigue

Sustainable Development Goal

Goal 3: Good health and well-being

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