# An evaluation of speech therapy care in the surrounding area of an interdisciplinary cleft lip and palate tertiary care center

## TL;DR

This study evaluates the knowledge and confidence of speech therapists in treating cleft patients and finds that experience significantly impacts their confidence.

## Contribution

The study introduces a structured questionnaire to assess speech therapists' knowledge and experience in cleft care.

## Key findings

- Therapists with cleft treatment experience felt more confident in their knowledge and abilities.
- Professional experience correlated with higher knowledge in speech therapy for cleft patients.
- Cleft centers are preferred for patient care due to their routine and collaborative environment.

## Abstract

The anatomical deformation in cleft patients requires speech therapy to support cleft patients as best as possible. The aim of this study was to evaluate the standard of knowledge of therapists concerning clefts. Furthermore, the study aimed to determine whether there was a difference between therapists with and without treatment experience in cleft patients as well as among therapists with more or less years of general professional experience. We developed a questionnaire about different areas of speech therapy: “General,” “Speech therapy,” “Development opportunities and influences,” and “Interdisciplinary collaboration.” For a total of 50 questions, we used single-, multiple-choice questions and the visual analog scale (VAS). Speech therapists with experience in treating cleft patients (n = 43) felt more confident regarding their knowledge and abilities than therapists without experience (n = 61), especially concerning nonspecialist disciplines and cleft specifications. No difference was found in therapy duration, indications, influences, and potential for development. Professional experience (years) and cleft experience correlate; with more knowledge in the group with more than 8 years of experience. Cleft centers remain first choice for patients’ care thanks to the higher number of patients, daily treatment routine, the direct contact among examiners, and a common treatment concept.