Abstract: Introduction: The complexity of ever-changing health standards, new health policies,
changes in the healthcare environment, necessitates an advanced level of professional expertise
in Medical Speech-Language Pathology (MSLP). Objectives: This study presents the current
status, opportunities and perspectives for the development of MSLP in Bulgaria. Method:
Theoretical overview and comparative analysis of the data and literature on MSLP as it exists
in the USA and is developing in Bulgaria. The special emphasis is placed on the scope of
practice of MSLP in the USA and Bulgaria, which is a key problem for the prospects for the
development of this specialty. Results: The perspective for the development of MSLP in
Bulgaria is wider and favorable in view of the continuous aging of the population and the need
for effective and high-quality treatment for all types of communication disorders across the
lifespan. Conclusions: MSLP has a perspective for development in Bulgaria only if it is studied
as a health specialty within medical or health faculties, but necessarily housed within a medical
university. A clear understanding of the scope of practice is fundamental for the development
of MSLP, but it should not overlap the purview of other professions.
Keywords: Medical Speech-Language Pathology, scope of practice, Clinical Logopedics,
communication disorders 

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