Speech-Language Therapist Staffing for the Rehabilitation of Adult and Paediatric In/Outpatients in Chilean Public Hospitals
Journal
Revista de Investigación e Innovación en Ciencias de la Salud
ISSN
2665-2056
Date Issued
2025-06-18
Author(s)
Felipe Gonzalo Rosales Lillo
American Institute of Balance, British Society of Audiology, De Montfort University, Health Care Professionals Council (HCPC), Imperial College London, Registration Council for Clinical Physicians, Universidad Andrés Bello Facultad de Medicina, Universidad del Desarrollo, University College London, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, University of Chile
Antonia Villalón Barrionuevo
Haranni Antonella Aguilera Soto
Teresita Bravo Andrade
Type
journal-article
URL Institutional Repository
Abstract
<jats:p>Introduction. Speech and language therapists are key in health teams; health institutions must have enough staff for quality care.
Objective. To determine the professional provision of speech and language therapy staffing required for in-and-outpatient care of adult and paediatric patients in public hospitals of the Chilean healthcare network.
Method. An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out, which included clinical beds of Chilean public hospitals. The calculation was performed according to the Chilean Ministry of Health guidance for estimating the rehabilitation human resources required for in-and-outpatient care, according to the number and type of clinical beds (basic, medium and critical care) available in each public health institutions.
Results. 189 hospitals were included, with 23,677 clinical beds analysed. 81% and 19% of them were for adult and paediatric patient care respectively. 28,950 hours per week of speech and language therapy staffing in public hospitals for in-and-outpatient care is required: 85% for adult patients and 15% for paediatric ones. The Magallanes and Ñuble Regions require the highest percentage of hours —92 and 91%, respectively— for adult patients. The Tarapacá, Metropolitana, and Aysén regions need 18% of hours for paediatric patients. The Metropolitana Region needs almost 35% of the total national hours, followed by Biobío (10.29%) and Valparaíso (9.87%) regions.
Conclusion. Hospitals should review these results to ensure a correct planning of professionals, and consider the proposal for non-working days for the care of hospitalised patients, to optimise their clinical results and quality of life, and the management results of each centre. It is necessary to continue generating evidence in favour of patient care, resource optimisation, and the well-being of clinical professionals.</jats:p>
Objective. To determine the professional provision of speech and language therapy staffing required for in-and-outpatient care of adult and paediatric patients in public hospitals of the Chilean healthcare network.
Method. An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out, which included clinical beds of Chilean public hospitals. The calculation was performed according to the Chilean Ministry of Health guidance for estimating the rehabilitation human resources required for in-and-outpatient care, according to the number and type of clinical beds (basic, medium and critical care) available in each public health institutions.
Results. 189 hospitals were included, with 23,677 clinical beds analysed. 81% and 19% of them were for adult and paediatric patient care respectively. 28,950 hours per week of speech and language therapy staffing in public hospitals for in-and-outpatient care is required: 85% for adult patients and 15% for paediatric ones. The Magallanes and Ñuble Regions require the highest percentage of hours —92 and 91%, respectively— for adult patients. The Tarapacá, Metropolitana, and Aysén regions need 18% of hours for paediatric patients. The Metropolitana Region needs almost 35% of the total national hours, followed by Biobío (10.29%) and Valparaíso (9.87%) regions.
Conclusion. Hospitals should review these results to ensure a correct planning of professionals, and consider the proposal for non-working days for the care of hospitalised patients, to optimise their clinical results and quality of life, and the management results of each centre. It is necessary to continue generating evidence in favour of patient care, resource optimisation, and the well-being of clinical professionals.</jats:p>
Cite this document
Rosales Lillo, F. G., Castro Abarca, P., Villalón Barrionuevo, A., Aguilera Soto, H. A., & Bravo Andrade, T. (2025). Speech-language therapist staffing for the rehabilitation of adult and paediatric in/outpatients in chilean public hospitals. Revista de Investigación e Innovación en Ciencias de la Salud, 7(2), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.46634/riics.426