A study on the present status of freelancers in speech-language rehabilitation

Abstract

Purpose Corona-19 Infectious Diseases temporarily closed the workplace of speech therapists or temporarily suspended the work. Therefore, we investigated the current status of speech therapists in order to enact freelancer support ordinances of each local government and to urge language rehabilitation workers to support them. Methods The study was conducted through an online Google questionnaire from May 20 to October 2, 2020 for language rehabilitation workers. The total number of participants was 2,055. The results were processed using SPSS 25.0 and descriptive statistics were performed. Results The results were processed using SPSS 25.0 and descriptive statistics were performed. First, private speech therapy centers 55.4%, social welfare facilities 22.2%, and hospitals 14.6% were in order of the type of workplace of Speech-language rehabilitation. Second, the types of work of Speech-language rehabilitation were professional freelance workers 43.0%, contract workers of fixed pay 9.3%, and contract workers of combination with fixed pay and rate system pay 6.9%. Third, the insurance coverage of Speech-language rehabilitation were in the order of four major insurance 67.2%, non-insured 20.3%, and two major insurance 12.5%. Forth, the number of workplaces of Speech-language rehabilitation were one workplaces 63.9%, 2 workplaces 17.5%, others 16%, 3 workplaces 2.6%. Conclusions Therefore, this study will be used as basic data for improving the treatment of speech therapists, and various efforts will be needed to expand the employment place that can guarantee the financial and employment stability from enactment of freelancer ordinances in each local government. Keywords: Speech-language rehabilitation; Speech-language therapist; freelancer; Crona-19; contract workers; Rate-based salary