Evidenc based Speech Language Pathology (SLP) in Suriname: laying the foundations of a research culture in SLP.

This project aims to develop and implement a research unit for Speech Language Pathology (SLP) at the Anton de Kom University (AdeKUS) in Suriname. This interfaculty initiative (AdeKUS’ faculty of Humanities with support of the faculty of Medical Sciences) will be specifically designed to foster a scientific culture in Speech Language Pathology in which there are no barriers between paramedical, human and medical disciplines, thus ensuring that the widest possible range of expertise and techniques can be brought to bear on important health care issues in Suriname. Practice based research on the prevalence of SLP problems in Suriname serves as a starting point to expand new research to be carried out within AdeKUS’ SLP research unit. In addition, outreach activities to raise awareness about SLP challenges in Suriname for different types of stakeholders will be executed with the ultimate long-term goal of improving the quality of health care in Suriname. Inclusion of different stakeholders as well as the highest level of (inter)national expertise within the SLP and medical domain in all project phases warrants sustainability.