This study aims to investigate the employment type of speech-language pathologists, subscription of social security insurance, workplace, working hours, salary, and types of disability of the subjects to be treated, and analyze the information on the actual working conditions to utilize it in policy proposals for speech-language pathologists, considering the changes in economic structure and employment environment and their aspects.
The study was conducted through an online Google questionnaire for speech-language pathologists. The total number of participants was 1,414. The results were processed using SPSS 25.0, and descriptive statistics were performed.
First, private speech therapy centers (731 people, 48.1%), social welfare facilities (240 people, 15.8%), and development centers attached to the hospital (164 people, 10.8%) were in order of the type of workplace of speech-language pathologists. Second, the types of work of speech-language pathologists were professional freelance workers (608 people, 44.9%), full-time jobs (551 people, 40.7%), contract workers of fixed payment (95 people, 7.0%), and contract workers of combination with fixed payment and rate system payment (65 people, 4.8%). Third, the insurance coverage of speech-language pathologists was in the order of four major insurances (862 people, 66.2%), non-insured (284 people, 21.8%), and two major insurances (148 people, 11.4%). Fourth, the numbers of speech-language pathologists workplaces were 1 workplace (689 people, 72.2%), 2 workplaces (206 people, 21.6%), others (36 people, 3.8%), and 3 workplaces (23 people, 2.4%).
After COVID-19, there was a change in perception of the speech-language pathologists’ employment type. The results of this study will be used to improve the treatment of speech-language pathologists, such as through policy proposals for employment stability and the expansion of high-quality workplaces.
In Korea, only a person who has passed the national examination under Article 73 (hereinafter referred to as “language rehabilitation”) and who meets the qualification requirements under Article 72-2 of the Disabled Act (such as the issuance of a language rehabilitation certificate) obtains a national qualification for language rehabilitation [
Through systematic management, the speech-language pathologists starts related activities by issuing private certifications at the Korean Language Therapy Society and the Korean Language Hearing Clinical Association. In 2012, the national certification system was implemented under the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s management.
Speech-language pathologists evaluate and mediate the language and communication skills of the subjects throughout their lives to improve their communication skills. They play a role as a patient assistant for them to return to society. They work for people with acquired aphasia, speech movement disorder, voice disabilities due to stroke or traumatic brain damage, and simple language development delay.
Caring for people with disabilities is a time-consuming activity. In line with this, the Ministry of Health and Welfare announced the “Four Voucher Projects” in 2007 and implemented them. The field is gradually expanded, and vouchers are offered in speech therapy, art therapy, behavioral therapy, and music therapy [
Unfortunately, our society has no job conditions for voucher business workers to perform their jobs efficiently. The wage level is only above the minimum wage, and the employment type is also becoming more and more likely to be a transitional job. In addition, as the public awareness of the social service voucher business increases, the workload of service workers also increases [
Due to economic uncertainty and economic downturn after the financial crisis, Korea has adopted a labor flexibility strategy that addresses irregular employment. The spread of COVID-19 and the subsequent closure of the economy induced limited economic activities, and the employment market situation has become very weak not only in Korea but also in the world. Such changes in the employment market have brought about a significant change in the employment environment of speech-language pathologists as well [
Freelancers include ‘one person self-employed’ without employees, including ‘non-wage workers,’ ‘special type workers’ in a broad sense, and all informally active individuals without registering as a business [
This study investigates the employment type of speech-language pathologists, subscription of social security insurance, workplace, working hours, salary, and types of disability of the subjects to be treated, and analyzes the information on the actual working conditions to utilize it in policy proposals for speech-language pathologists, considering the changes in economic structure and employment environment and their aspects.
Questionnaires were composed of consultants of four professors of speech therapy and a clinician to investigate the working conditions of speech-language pathologists. The questionnaire consisted of 6 questions about the general characteristics of individuals and 10 questions about the operational status of speech-language pathologists. The Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient of questionnaire questions was 0.74 for general characteristics and 0.83 for speech-language pathologists. The specific contents of the questionnaire are the same as in
The study was conducted through an online Google questionnaire for speech-language pathologists, and the results of 1,414 subjects were analyzed except for those who were unreliable (
This study investigated speech-language pathologists’ work status, subscription to the social security system, and salary level and analyzed descriptive statistics using SPSS 25.0.
The results of the questionnaires to find out the type of workplace for speech-language pathologists were presented in
The total number of people who participated in the type of workplace was 1,414, of which 107 (7.3%) responded in duplicate. The ranking of the workplaces of speech-language pathologists was 731 (48.1%) in private speech therapy centers, 240 (15.8%) in social welfare facilities, and 164 (10.8%) in hospital-affiliated development centers.
The results of the questionnaire items to investigate the types of work were presented in
Among 1,354 respondents, 608 freelance professionals (44.9%) were the highest in the type of work of speech-language pathologists, followed by 551 full-time workers (40.7%), 95 contract workers (fixed classes) (7.0%), and 65 contract workers (fixed classes + bonuses) (4.8%).
The status of social security insurance coverage by speech-language pathologists is the same as in
Among 1,303 respondents, 862 people (66.2%) were the speech-language pathologists who joined Four Social Insurance, followed by 284 people (21.8%) who did not insure, 148 people (11.4%) who had two social insurances, and 9 others (0.6%).
The results of analyzing 1,310 responses to understand the monthly salary status of speech-language pathologists are shown in
Among the 1,310 respondents, 356 people (27.2%) who got 2 million won to 2.5 million won in monthly payments were the most frequent. According to the rankings of salaries, 271 people (20.7%) earned ‘less than 2 million won and less than 1.5 million won,’ 205 people (15.6%) ‘less than 1.5 million won,’ 134 people (10.2%) ‘3 million won and less than 3.5 million won,’ 73 people (5.6%) ‘more than 3.5 million won and less than 4 million won,’ and 34 people (2.6%) ‘4 million to less than 5 million won.’ Thirty-three people (2.5%) earned 5 million won or more.
Many speech-language pathologists work in one or more workplaces, so the survey results of the number of workplaces in which one speech-language pathologists is engaged are the same as in
Of the 954 respondents, 689 people (72.2%) worked at one workplace, and 206 people (21.6%) worked at two workplaces. Next, 23 people (2.4%) worked at more than three workplaces, while 36 people (3.8%) worked at others.
The results of the average working hours of a speech-language pathologists per week are shown in
Of the 1,300 respondents, 347 people (26.8%) worked from 33 to 41 hours per week, accounting for the highest percentage. The following order was 232 people (17.8%) for ‘less than 8 hours per week,’ 206 people (15.8%) for ‘9 hours to less than 17 hours per week,’ 192 people (14.8%) for ’25 hours to less than 33 per week,’ 168 people (12.9%) for ‘more than 41 hours per week,’ and 155 people (11.9%) for ’17 hours to less than 25 hours.’ This result was analyzed based on 8 hours a day, and it was found that 1 day per week was 17.8% of the total respondents based 8 hours a day.
The results of analyzing the number of cases charged by speech-language pathologists are shown in
Of the 1,303 respondents, 409 people (31.4%) were responsible for ‘more than 20 cases to less than 30 cases’ per week, which accounted for the highest percentage. Next, 327 people (25.1%) accounted for ’10 cases to less than 20 cases,’ 292 people (22.4%) for ’30 cases to less than 40 cases,’ 139 people (10.7%) for ‘more than 40 cases,’ and 136 people (10.4%) for ‘less than 10 cases.’
The results of the average treatment period per subject in charge of the speech-language pathologists are shown in
Of the 1,308 subjects, 508 responded to the period of speech therapy per subject ‘1 year to less than 2 years,’ which accounted for the highest percentage. Of the 1,308 subjects, 508 responded to the period of speech therapy per subject ‘1 year to less than 2 years,’ which accounted for the highest percentage. Next, 251 people (19.2%) responded ‘more than 2 years and less than 3 years,’ 219 people (16.7%) ‘more than 6 months and less than 1 year,’ 108 people (8.3%) ‘three years and less than four years,’ 101 people (7.7%) ‘less than six years and five years,’ and 56 people (7.7%) ‘four years and more than five years.’ Meanwhile, 65 people (5.0%) responded ‘more than five years.’
The results for the type of disorder most frequently treated by speech-language pathologists are shown in
Of the total 1,313 respondents, 424 therapists (32.2%) treated the autism spectrum disorder most frequently, 355 people (27.0%) treated the delay of simple language development, and 287 people (21.9%) treated the intellectual disorder frequently.
The investigation results of the reasons for the termination of the subjects were presented in
Of 1,290 respondents, 467 people (36.2%) answered that the reason for termination of the subject was personal. Next, ‘a marked increase in the therapeutic effect’ of 359 (27.8%), ‘economic burden’ of 200 (15.5%), ‘transfer to preferred other institution’ of 110 (8.5%), ‘other reasons’ of 68 (5.3%), ‘complaints about an institution/therapist’ of 62 (4.8%), and ‘referral to other institutions’ of 24 (1.9%) were found.
The results of this study are as follows. First, the ranking of the workplaces of Speech-Language pathologists was 731 (48.1%) in private speech therapy centers, 240 (15.8%) in social welfare facilities, and 164 (10.8%) in hospital-affiliated development centers.
Compared with the study of Lee et al. [
Second, 608 freelance professionals (44.9%) were the highest in the type of work of Speech-Language pathologists, followed by 551 full-time workers (40.7%), 95 contract workers for fixed classes (7.0%), and 65 contract workers for fixed classes+bonuses (4.8%). This was compared with the study of Lee et al. [
Third, according to a survey on the social security subscription of Speech-Language pathologists, 862 people (66.2%) were Speech-Language pathologists who joined Four Social Insurance, followed by 284 people (21.8%) who did not insure, 148 people (11.4%) who had two social insurances, and 9 for others (0.6%). This was similar to Lee et al. [
Fourth, when looking at the degree of salary of Speech-Language pathologists, 356 (27.2%) of Speech-Language pathologists were found to earn more than 2 million won, 274 (22.9%) more than 3 million won, (20.7%) more than 1.5 million won to less than 2 million won, and 205 (15.6%). In the 2020 Speech-Language Therapist Freelance Survey [
Fifth, the number of workplaces for Speech-Language pathologists was 689 (72.2%) in one workplace, 206 (21.6%) in two workplaces, 36 (3.8%) in others, and 23 (2.4%) in three workplaces.
Sixth, 347 people (26.8%) worked more than 33 hours and less than 41 hours, 232 people (17.8%) worked less than 8 hours, and 192 people (14.8%) worked more than 25 hours and less than 33 hours.
Seventh, the number of cases in charge per week was 409 (31.4%) from 20 cases to 30 cases, 327 (25.1%) from 10 cases to 20 cases, and 292 (22.4%) from 30 cases to 40 cases.
Eighth, looking at the average treatment period, there were 508 people (38.8%) for more than 1 year and less than 2 years, 251 people (19.2%) for more than 2 years and less than 3 years, and 219 people (16.7%) for more than 6 months and less than 1 year.
Lastly, the types of disabilities that Speech-Language pathologists treated the most were autism spectrum disorders and specific language impairments, and the reasons for immediate termination were mainly “clear increases in treatment effects” and “economic burdens.”
According to this survey, the proportion of freelancers of Speech-Language pathologists is still high, but the increase in the proportion of regular workers compared to 2020 is a positive change. The result is that the government’s disaster support policy due to COVID-19 may have positively affected employees’ perception of regular employment.
It can be said that the salary status of Speech-Language pathologists has changed positively compared to the survey by Lee et al. [
Questionnaire contents
Contents | Items |
---|---|
Basic questions | Local branch |
Gender | |
Age | |
Career | |
Education | |
Certification type | |
| |
Key questions | Type of workplace |
Type of working contract | |
Type of insurance subscription | |
Current monthly salary status for the last three months | |
Number of workplaces | |
Working hours | |
Number of cases in charge | |
Average treatment period for subjects | |
The type of disability that accounts for the largest percentage of your subjects | |
The reason for termination of the most quickly terminated treatment subjects | |
| |
Total | 16 |
Participants’ information
Category | N (%) |
---|---|
Local branch | |
Kangwon | 38 (2.7) |
Gwangju-Honam | 179 (12.7) |
Daegu-Kyeongbuk | 137 (9.7) |
Daejeon-Chungcheong | 158 (11.2) |
Busan-Wolsan-Gyeongnam | 239 (16.9) |
Seoul | 386 (18.7) |
Incheon-Gyeonggi | 397 (28.1) |
Jeju | 33 (2.3) |
| |
Gender | |
Male | 87 (6.2) |
Female | 1,327 (93.8) |
| |
Age | |
Under 25-yr-old | 66 (4.7) |
26 to 30-yr-old | 425 (30.1) |
31 to 35-yr-old | 305 (21.6) |
36 to 40-yr-old | 220 (15.6) |
41 to 50-yr-old | 288 (20.4) |
51 to 60-yr-old | 98 (6.9) |
More than 61-yr-old | 12 (0.8) |
| |
Career as a speech-language pathologists | |
Less than a year | 45 (3.2) |
More than a year to less than 3 yr | 238 (16.8) |
More than 3 yr to less than 5 yr | 234 (16.5) |
More than 5 yr to less than 10 yr | 432 (30.6) |
More than 10 yr | 465 (32.9) |
| |
Education | |
College | 102 (7.2) |
University | 795 (56.2) |
Master degree | 494 (34.9) |
Doctoral degree | 23 (1.6) |
| |
Certification type | |
First-class national certificate | 545 (38.5) |
Second-degree national certificate | 868 (61.4) |
| |
Total | 1,414 (100) |
Workplace type
Workplace type | N (%) |
---|---|
Education and child care institutions | 107 (7.0) |
Social welfare facilities | 240 (15.8) |
General hospital and university hospital | 72 (4.7) |
Rehabilitation hospital and nursing hospital | 74 (4.9) |
Development center attached to the hospital | 164 (10.8) |
Private speech therapy center (center chief) | 81 (5.3) |
Private speech therapy center (speech-language pathologists) | 731 (48.1) |
Etc. | 52 (3.4) |
Total response number | 1,521 (100) |
Work contract form
Work contract form | N (%) |
---|---|
Full-time job | 551 (40.7) |
Contract worker (fixed payment) | 95 (7.0) |
Contract worker (fixed payment+partial rate system payment) | 65 (4.8) |
Professional freelancer (rate system payment, 3.3% self-employed) | 608 (44.9) |
Etc. | 35 (2.6) |
Total response number | 1,354 (100) |
Insurance subscription status
Insurance subscription | N (%) |
---|---|
Four major insurances (Health Insurance, Industrial Accident Insurance, Employment Insurance, National Pension) | 862 (66.2) |
Two major insurances (Employment Insurance, Industrial Accident Insurance) | 148 (11.4) |
Uninsured | 284 (21.8) |
Etc. | 9 (0.6) |
Total response number | 1,303 (100) |
Monthly payment status
Monthly payment | N (%) |
---|---|
Less than 1.5 million won | 205 (15.6) |
1.5 million won to less than 2 million won | 271 (20.7) |
2 million won to less than 2.5 million won | 356 (27.2) |
2.5 million won to less than 3 million won | 204 (15.6) |
3 million won to less than 3.5 million won | 134 (10.2) |
3.5 million won to less than 4 million won | 73 (5.6) |
4 million won to less than 5 million won | 34 (2.6) |
More than 5 million won | 33 (2.5) |
Total response number | 1,310 (100) |
Number of workplaces as a freelancer
Number of workplaces | N (%) |
---|---|
1 | 689 (72.2) |
2 | 206 (21.6) |
3≤ | 23 (2.4) |
Etc. | 36 (3.8) |
Total response number | 954 (100) |
Working hours
Working hours | N (%) |
---|---|
Less than 8 hr per week | 232 (17.8) |
9 hr to less than 17 hr per week | 206 (15.8) |
17 hr to less than 25 hr per week | 155 (11.9) |
25 hr to less than 33 hr per week | 192 (14.8) |
33 hr to less than 41 hr per week | 347 (26.8) |
More than 41 hr per week | 168 (12.9) |
Total response number | 1,300 (100) |
Number of charge cases
Number of charge cases | N (%) |
---|---|
Less than 10 cases a week | 136 (10.4) |
10 cases to less than 20 cases a week | 327 (25.1) |
20 cases to less than 30 cases a week | 409 (31.4) |
30 cases to less than 40 cases a week | 292 (22.4) |
More than 40 cases a week | 139 (10.7) |
Total response number | 1,303 (100) |
Average treatment period per subject
Average treatment period per subject | N (%) |
---|---|
Less than 6 mon | 101 (7.7) |
6 mo to less than 1 yr | 219 (16.7) |
1 yr to less than 2 yr | 508 (38.8) |
2 yr to less than 3 yr | 251 (19.2) |
3 yr to less than 4 yr | 108 (8.3) |
4 yr to less than 5 yr | 56 (4.3) |
More than 5 yr | 65 (5.0) |
Total response number | 1,308 (100) |
Most frequently treated disorder type
Most frequently treated disorder type | N (%) |
---|---|
Cerebral palsy | 32 (2.4) |
Simple language development delay | 355 (27.0) |
Aphasia | 51 (3.9) |
Voice disorder | 13 (1.0) |
Fluency disorder | 5 (0.4) |
Autistic spectrum disorder | 424 (32.3) |
Articulation phonological disorder | 63 (4.8) |
Intellectual disability | 287 (21.9) |
Cognitive communication disorders such as dementia | 5 (0.4) |
Hearing disorder | 23 (1.8) |
Learning disability | 40 (3.0) |
Etc. | 15 (1.1) |
Total response number | 1,313 (100) |
The reason for the termination of the fast-terminated subject
Termination reason | N (%) |
---|---|
A marked increase in therapeutic effects | 359 (27.8) |
Complaints about an institution/a therapist | 62 (4.8) |
Transfer to preferred/another institution | 110 (8.5) |
Economic burden | 200 (15.5) |
A personal reason for the subject | 467 (36.2) |
Referral to another institution | 24 (1.9) |
Other reasons for an institution/therapist | 68 (5.3) |
Total response number | 1,290 (100) |