Evaluating Rural Preschool Speech‐Language Services: consumer satisfaction

Abstract

Consumer satisfaction with the delivery of preschool speech‐language services in a sparsely populated rural region of Canada was investigated. A 22‐item questionnaire was developed to evaluate parent satisfaction for seven targeted service themes. Of the 152 parents identified for study, 79 (52%) completed and returned the questionnaire. Although results indicated generally positive levels of parent satisfaction for the services provided significant differences emerged for four service themes: intervention format, parent support, parent satisfaction, and service convenience. Similar patterns were found for two service themes (i.e., intervention format and parent support), when parent responses were sub‐categorised and analysed according to children's preschool program outcome (i.e., goals reached versus transferred to school). The speech‐language service themes rated the highest by parents included referral process, assessment process, and parent intervention. Parent evaluations were less supportive for three additional service themes: service convenience, parent support, and overall parent satisfaction. Intervention format received the lowest parent rating. The results are suggestive of ways in which the speech‐language service may be enhanced to achieve greater levels of consumer satisfaction.