People Who Stutter and Their Experiences with Healthcare Providers

Authors: Ethan Grauer, John Harrigan

Field of Study: Biological Sciences

Program Affiliation: Source Project Research Program

Faculty Mentors: Rodney Gabel

Easel: 94

Timeslot: Morning

Abstract: Stuttering is a speech disorder that can affect one’s life. Given the impact that stuttering has on communication, stuttering can negatively impact the level of healthcare that person receives. This study examines which healthcare professions are viewed as more effective by individuals who stutter. A cross-sectional survey containing a list of healthcare careers along with questions measuring people who stutter (PWS) and their perception of each provider and their treatment using a 5-point Likert scale. Semi-structured interviews with PWS were also conducted to get in-depth information on recurring themes in the appointments. These interviews also examined what positive or negative actions were taken by the provider and stood out to patients. It is expected that the results will depict patterns in interactions between patients and their providers while also identifying fields where communication with PWS may require the most improvement. This could propose strategies to improve healthcare and provider training for patients with speech disorders.