The Performance of Speech-Language Pathology in University Hospitals of Federal Brazilian Universities

Introduction: The University Hospitals are very important centers and represent a relevant role in the community where they are inserted. In these places, there is a diverse range of health professionals.

Objective: To describe the performance of Speech-Language Pathology in University Hospitals of Federal Brazilian Universities—UH.

Methods: Exploratory descriptive study developed by the Speech-Language Pathology services of the UHs. The population was constituted by the Speech-Language Pathology therapists responsible for the services. In Education ministery website, the relation of all the Federal University Hospitals and its respective contacts (e-mail/address/telephone) were obtained. The data were collected by the application of a questionnaire with objective questions, which evaluated the performance of Speech-Language Pathology inside the UH, and that was sent by e-mail.

Results: Among the 45 UHs, 25 have participated of the study and 16 possess Speech-Language Pathology Services from 2 to 13 years. The attendance is the ambulatory, but there are also services developed in clinic, neonatal and adult ITUs, and first-aid clinics. Doctorship, mastership, and teaching are part of the résumé of many professionals.

Conclusions: The performance of Speech-Language Pathology in hospital unities should be amplified, since joint work makes the profession to be better recognized and therefore requested by other professionals, beyond contributing to a better assistance for the patient.