Speech Therapy in Colombia: 50 Years of Research Experience

Abstract

Introduction: This paper sought to characterize the research conducted during the first fifty years of Speech Therapy in Colombia, providing an understanding of the trends and the current focus of speech therapy training schools. Methods: A search was conducted for articles published by Colombian speech therapists at higher education institutions, using search terms in national and international journals. Results: Research conducted from 1993 to September 2016 was found, with a total of 214 articles meeting the inclusion criteria. 98.4% of these articles were published in national journals, and 40.1% were conducted with people with disabilities. The most frequently researched topic was the human voice, with 14.9%, and the least frequently researched topic was vertigo, with 3%. Analysis and discussion: Colombian research output has increased since educational institutions began promoting opportunities for the socialization and development of formative and applied research. Conclusions: Research enables new generations of speech therapists and training schools to make scientific advances and implement new and improved rehabilitation techniques.