Perceptions of Health Professions amongst Indian Pre-University Students: Implication to the Speech-language Therapy Profession
- Author:
Hasherah Mohd Ibrahim
;
Nichalini Sounderajan
;
Badrulzaman Abdul Hamid
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Indian ethnicity;
health sciences;
speech language therapy;
career choice
- MeSH:
Language Therapy;
Speech Therapy
- From:Malaysian Journal of Health Sciences
2017;15(1):61-66
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
The Indian ethnic group remains underrepresented despite the continued advancement in the field of speech and language
therapy (SLT) in Malaysia. This study aims to investigate the perception of Malaysian Indian Pre-university students towards
a career in the health sciences and specifically for the SLT profession. This was a cross-sectional study that employed
convinience sampling method to recruit participants. A total of 110 Indian pre-university students from urban cities of
Kuala Lumpur and Johor were recruited. The findings showed majority of the respondents (>90%) placed importance
on a career that provided “high salary,” “job stability,” and “career’s social standing in the community.” Almost all
respondents recognize the medical, pharmacy and nursing profesion compared to only <3% who were familiar with the
occupational therapy, audiology and SLT profession. Respondents perceived the SLT profession as “suited for females,”
“interesting” and provided “opportunities to meet people.” None of the respondents perceived SLT as a profession that
“suited for males,” “high salary” and “a scientic course.” Only 5% of respondents would consider a career in SLT.
Findings from this study can be used to increase awareness and to change inaccurate perceptions regarding health
science profession especially SLT amongst the Indian ethnicity.
- Full text:P020170215422154605486.pdf
