Original Research How I experienced tele-intervention: Qualitative insights from persons who stutter

Raadhiyah Hoosain, Shabnam Abdoola, Esedra Krüger, Bhavani Pillay

South African Journal of Communication Disorders | Vol 72, No 1 | a1068 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/sajcd.v72i1.1068 | © 2025 Raadhiyah Hoosain, Shabnam Abdoola, Esedra Krüger, Bhavani Pillay | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 17 July 2024 | Published: 31 January 2025

About the author(s) Raadhiyah Hoosain, Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, Faculty of Humanities, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
Shabnam Abdoola, Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, Faculty of Humanities, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa; and Department of Speech-Language Pathology, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
Esedra Krüger, Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, Faculty of Humanities, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
Bhavani Pillay, Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, Faculty of Humanities, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa

Abstract

Background: Tele-intervention gained popularity, during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, prompting healthcare providers to adapt to remote service delivery. Research about stuttering treatment via tele-intervention in South Africa is limited. Speech-language therapists (SLTs) require further insights to deliver a well-supported approach for treatment of stuttering using tele-intervention, despite limitations such as technological disruptions, including loadshedding, that impact service reliability.

Objectives: The study aims to explore clients’ experiences with tele-intervention for stuttering therapy, and to provide recommendations to improve service delivery.

Method: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 persons who stutter (PWS) recruited through purposive sampling. Written informed consent was obtained from all participants with experience in both tele-intervention and in-person treatment. Inductive thematic analysis supplemented by descriptive statistics was used to identify patterns and trends.

Results: Four main themes emerged: (1) User experiences and factors shaping perceptions of tele-intervention; (2) technical infrastructure: barriers and facilitators; (3) financial and access considerations and (4) in-person treatment experience compared to tele-intervention user experience. Likert scale ratings indicated no considerable difference in preferences between tele-intervention and in-person treatment.

Conclusion: Participants’ diverse experiences highlighted tele-intervention’s benefits and challenges for stuttering therapy. While limitations exist, findings inform service enhancement in South Africa, emphasising the importance of users’ perspectives in tele-intervention design.

Contribution: Insights from PWS can be used in informing clinical practice, aiding SLTs in meeting the needs of PWS and guiding best practice. Tele-intervention should be integrated into a hybrid intervention model that PWS prefer.

Keywords

dysfluency; persons who stutter; speech therapy; stuttering; tele-intervention; speech-language therapist; perspectives; hybrid intervention

Sustainable Development Goal

Goal 4: Quality education

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