아세안

In many countries, speech-language pathologistsFootnote1 (SLPs) are a key part of the rehabilitation workforce for people experiencing communication and swallowing disabilities (CSwD). In Vietnam, until recently communication and swallowing services have been delivered by local community-based rehabilitation (CBR) workers, rehabilitation technicians or rehabilitation doctors with none or only short course training in communication and swallowing, and by expatriate volunteers as part of surgical teams and NGOs working in Vietnam. Since 2010, a small number of one- or two- year certificate-level SLPs have been trained within one Vietnamese university. In its National Plan of Rehabilitation Development 2014–2020, the Vietnam Ministry of Health outlined an extensive expansion of rehabilitation services that included development of fully qualified, degree level SLPs. To achieve this goal, the Vietnamese government requested international support and collaboration. This paper describes the development and delivery of Vietnam’s first speech-language pathology degrees and presents the findings of a comprehensive evaluation involving all stakeholders involved in development, management and delivery of the degrees. Implications and recommendations for future degrees in Vietnam as well as other countries and agencies considering or engaged in development of similar degrees in other Majority WorldFootnote2 countries are presented.