Shifting and transforming the practice of audiology: The inclusion of traditional healing.
Dhanashree Pillay, Tshepang Serooe
PMID 31793314WHAT IT FOUND
Of 41 South African audiologists, twenty-eight did not ask clients about traditional healing, while thirteen did.
Twenty-seven would not refer to traditional healers, and thirty-nine said they accommodated cultural and religious beliefs.
Key findings
01Twenty-eight participants did not ask about traditional healing during the case history or feedback session, while thirteen participants did ask.
02Thirty-nine participants reported that they had never received a referral from a traditional healer; twenty-seven participants reported that they would not refer a client to a traditional healer, and one participant reported that they would refer.
03Twenty-seven participants said it would be beneficial to have a formal model for collaboration with traditional healers because the majority of the South African population consults traditional healers.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they found
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What it does not show
Only 41 participants completed the questionnaire, and the paper reports a 41% response rate, so the views may not represent all audiologists in South Africa. Participants were chosen purposively from online healthcare association registers, not randomly, so people who agreed to take part may differ from those who did not. The questionnaire was self-developed, and the paper does not report validation or reliability information for it. The study included audiologists dually trained as speech therapists, but the results were not reported separately for them. The study reports self-reported views and practices at one time, so it does not show whether asking about traditional healing or collaborating with traditional healers improves hearing care. The sample was South African audiologists, so findings may not apply to other countries or professions.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read the finding that twenty-seven participants supported a formal collaboration model as evidence that traditional healing improves hearing care. The study reports audiologists' views and practice patterns, not tested outcomes.