Overett Wendy, Kathard Harsha
Division of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Cape Town.
S Afr J Commun Disord. 2006;53:49-58.
This study described trends in the demographic, diagnostic, and attendance variables of first-time clients who attended the Speech-Language Therapy and Audiology outpatient department (OPD) at a tertiary hospital in the Western Cape over a five-year period (1999-2003). A retrospective, descriptive survey was conducted and data were collected from hospital records. The data were coded, analysed descriptively and represented in tables, figures and graphs. The diagnostic categories of hearing loss and voice disorder made up the highest percentage of referrals. The largest percentages of clients were referred from the Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Department at the study hospital, followed by the education sector. Demographic trends indicated that the highest percentage of clients attending the OPD was in the age category of 7-12 years, that similar percentages of male and female clients attended the OPD, and that English was the language that a client was most likely to speak. Geographically, the highest percentage of clients attending the OPD was from the Klipfontein region. Attendance data revealed that approximately 70% of clients attended OPD appointments within a three-month time period and attended no more than two appointments. Percentage of appointments attended decreased with increasing numbers of scheduled appointments. Implications for research and service delivery are discussed.
本研究描述了在五年期间（1999 - 2003年），首次前往西开普省一家三级医院的言语治疗与听力学门诊部（OPD）就诊的患者在人口统计学、诊断和就诊变量方面的趋势。开展了一项回顾性描述性调查，并从医院记录中收集数据。对数据进行编码、描述性分析，并以表格、图表和图形形式呈现。听力损失和嗓音障碍的诊断类别在转诊中占比最高。最大比例的患者是由研究医院的耳鼻喉科转诊而来，其次是教育部门。人口统计学趋势表明，前往门诊部就诊的患者中，年龄在7至12岁的占比最高，男性和女性患者就诊比例相近，且患者最常说的语言是英语。从地理位置来看，前往门诊部就诊的患者中，最高比例来自克利普方丹地区。就诊数据显示，约70%的患者在三个月内就诊，且就诊次数不超过两次。就诊预约的出席率随预约次数增加而下降。文中讨论了对研究和服务提供的启示。
