Addressing Competence and Educational Gaps among Speech and Language Pathologists in Cleft Palate Care: A Cross-Sectional Study in Flanders
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| Title: | Addressing Competence and Educational Gaps among Speech and Language Pathologists in Cleft Palate Care: A Cross-Sectional Study in Flanders |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Mie Cocquyt (ORCID |
| Source: | International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders. 2026 61(2). |
| Availability: | Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 24 |
| Publication Date: | 2026 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Education Level: | Adult Education |
| Descriptors: | Speech Language Pathology, Allied Health Personnel, Congenital Impairments, Allied Health Occupations Education, Nontraditional Education, Foreign Countries, Training Methods, Work Environment, Competence, Severity (of Disability), Professional Continuing Education, Speech Therapy, Clinical Diagnosis |
| Geographic Terms: | Belgium |
| DOI: | 10.1111/1460-6984.70203 |
| ISSN: | 1368-2822 1460-6984 |
| Abstract: | Background: The field of speech and language pathology (SLP) expanded to a wide range of specialities, leading to a global trend to decrease the time spent on specific courses on children with cleft palate, with or without cleft lip (CP±L) in SLP education programmes. The lack of CP±L courses has resulted in a global shortage of well-trained SLPs to deliver high-quality services to this population. Therefore, alternative training formats are needed. Aim: This study aimed to assess the training needs of Flemish speech and language pathologists (SLPs) working with children with CP±L by examining: (1) their current employment situation, experience and perceived competence regarding CP±L; (2) their preferences for the content, sources and organisation of continuing education on CP±L and (3) potential incentives and barriers to attend continuing education on CP±L. Methods and Procedures: A self-constructed online survey in QualtricsXM, based on existing literature, was utilised. The study employed a descriptive, quantitative approach, supplemented with open-ended questions to enrich and deepen the quantitative data. Outcomes and Results: The 158 respondents had a mean work experience of 10 years, a median of 7 years and a mode (most frequently occurring value) of 5 years. Of these 158 respondents, 132 (83.5%) were young SLPs with professional experience ranging from 0 to 15 years. Of these, 53.8% (85/158) had previously treated one or more children with CP±L, of whom 71 (83.5%) had a caseload of 0--3 children within the last 5 years. The mean caseload for the 85 SLPs with experience was 4.74 cases, with a median of one child and a mode of one. Of the 85 respondents with experience, 9.4% (8/85) felt highly competent in treating feeding problems, while 58.8% (50/85) felt highly capable in treating speech and language problems. However, 60% (95/158) of the SLPs would refer children with CP±L, especially when having feeding problems or severe speech and language problems, such as compensatory articulation disorders (CADs) or submucosal cleft, as they feel a lack of competence. Two-thirds (63.6%, 96/151) of the respondents who answered this question expressed a desire for continuing education in the assessment and treatment of children with CP±L. Conclusions and Implications: Although many Flemish SLPs perceived themselves as highly competent in treating speech and language problems in children with CP±L, they reported a lack of competence in treating complex or severe cases. They expressed a strong demand for specific, highly practical continuing education on CP±L, taught by experts in the field and with personal guidance. Based on the existing literature, our experience with CP±L and the results of this survey, we developed a continuing education programme on CP±L as an alternative educational format, tailored to the needs of Flemish community SLPs. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2026 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1500558 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | Background: The field of speech and language pathology (SLP) expanded to a wide range of specialities, leading to a global trend to decrease the time spent on specific courses on children with cleft palate, with or without cleft lip (CP±L) in SLP education programmes. The lack of CP±L courses has resulted in a global shortage of well-trained SLPs to deliver high-quality services to this population. Therefore, alternative training formats are needed. Aim: This study aimed to assess the training needs of Flemish speech and language pathologists (SLPs) working with children with CP±L by examining: (1) their current employment situation, experience and perceived competence regarding CP±L; (2) their preferences for the content, sources and organisation of continuing education on CP±L and (3) potential incentives and barriers to attend continuing education on CP±L. Methods and Procedures: A self-constructed online survey in QualtricsXM, based on existing literature, was utilised. The study employed a descriptive, quantitative approach, supplemented with open-ended questions to enrich and deepen the quantitative data. Outcomes and Results: The 158 respondents had a mean work experience of 10 years, a median of 7 years and a mode (most frequently occurring value) of 5 years. Of these 158 respondents, 132 (83.5%) were young SLPs with professional experience ranging from 0 to 15 years. Of these, 53.8% (85/158) had previously treated one or more children with CP±L, of whom 71 (83.5%) had a caseload of 0--3 children within the last 5 years. The mean caseload for the 85 SLPs with experience was 4.74 cases, with a median of one child and a mode of one. Of the 85 respondents with experience, 9.4% (8/85) felt highly competent in treating feeding problems, while 58.8% (50/85) felt highly capable in treating speech and language problems. However, 60% (95/158) of the SLPs would refer children with CP±L, especially when having feeding problems or severe speech and language problems, such as compensatory articulation disorders (CADs) or submucosal cleft, as they feel a lack of competence. Two-thirds (63.6%, 96/151) of the respondents who answered this question expressed a desire for continuing education in the assessment and treatment of children with CP±L. Conclusions and Implications: Although many Flemish SLPs perceived themselves as highly competent in treating speech and language problems in children with CP±L, they reported a lack of competence in treating complex or severe cases. They expressed a strong demand for specific, highly practical continuing education on CP±L, taught by experts in the field and with personal guidance. Based on the existing literature, our experience with CP±L and the results of this survey, we developed a continuing education programme on CP±L as an alternative educational format, tailored to the needs of Flemish community SLPs. |
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| ISSN: | 1368-2822 1460-6984 |
| DOI: | 10.1111/1460-6984.70203 |
