Mitigating risk in audiology and speech therapy practice: Essential risk management and control strategies for...

Effective risk management is central to patient safety, regulatory compliance, and organizational sustainability in healthcare. In South Africa, audiology and speech therapy practitioners operate within a system characterized by resource constraints, regulatory complexity, and socio-economic inequality, resulting in differentiated risk exposure across practice settings. This study explored risks encountered by practitioners and the strategies used to mitigate these risks. A qualitative design was employed in 2025 with 92 practitioners. Data were analyzed thematically, supported by descriptive and inferential analyses. Four interrelated risk domains emerged, with sectoral differences reflected across thematic and quantitative findings. Public sector practitioners reported significantly higher clinical risk, including diagnostic errors (65%) and delayed treatment (70%), particularly in rural settings (χ² = 18.21, p < 0.01). Additionally, operational risks such as staff shortages (75%) and equipment failure (70%) were also more prevalent. In contrast, private practitioners reported greater financial risk related to income volatility and overhead costs (70%; t = 3.12, p < 0.01). Legal and regulatory risks were evident across both sectors, while mitigation strategies included telehealth adoption and community partnerships. These findings demonstrate structurally produced risk, highlighting the need for integrated, context-sensitive risk governance frameworks in resource-constrained health systems.