Community based education in speech pathology and audiology at the University of Durban-Westville

Abstract

In South Africa there is increasing awareness both in academic and clinical domains of the inadequacy of education and training of health personnel, in preparing graduates to meet the service needs of the disadvantaged majority. A feasibility study is reported in which the regular curriculum of final year speech, language therapy/audiology students was adapted to provide a more relevant, more appropriate learning experience. This comprised a community based action research programme in a Zulu peri-rural community. A qualitative critical analysis of the project is presented, in an attempt to identify factors that could be likely to hinder and promote the greatly needed process of curriculum transformation within the university; and in the process of strengthening the role that the university can play in meeting the needs of the community it serves.