Telehealth use in speech, language and hearing pathology in Brazil: systematic review

ABSTRACT:

The Speech, Language and Hearing Pathology, like other professions, absorbed the applications of telehealth. The other remote services are already provided by the Speech, Language and Hearing Pathology. Nevertheless, Telehealth in Speech, Language and Hearing Pathology in the country still needs further scientific development and a broader access to the population. This systematic review aimed to analyze the studies on Telehealth in Speech, Language and Hearing Pathology in Brazil in the last ten years considering the following categories: level of scientific evidence described by the American Speech and Hearing Association in 2005; area of speech therapy involved; branch of telehealth and institution of origin. As for the categories, this review identified 26 eligible publications, especially clinical studies (level 4, according to ASHA criteria); the areas covered were distributed in audiology (50%), educational speech associated with audiology (15%), language (12%), educational speech associated with language (8%) and the remaining distributed with less than 5% each. With regard to the field of telemedicine, the practice of teleducation exceeded the teleservice. The included studies are from higher education institutions of the State of São Paulo, and 92.3% coming from the heartland of the state. A systematic review concluded that the Telehealth in Speech, Language and Hearing Pathology is expanding in Brazil, which should expand the supply of therapy services and scientific growth in the area.

KEYWORDS:
Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences; Telemedicine; Review