scholarly journals Academic Education of the Speech-Language Pathologist: A Comparative Analysis on Graduate Education in Two Low-Incidence Disorder Areas

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 164-172
Author(s):  
Kazlin N. Mason ◽  
Hannah Sypniewski ◽  
Jamie L. Perry

Background/Purpose When working with a specialized population, it is necessary to have the appropriate clinical and academic training. However, many speech-language pathologists report being ill-prepared regarding best practice when evaluating and treating patients with low-incidence disorders, particularly cleft palate/craniofacial anomalies and fluency disorders. The purpose of this study was to compare differences in graduate speech-language pathology coursework in the United States across two low-incidence disorder areas: cleft/craniofacial anomalies and fluency disorders. Method A review of the accredited graduate curricula offerings within these domains was completed. Information whether coursework in these areas was offered, if the course was taught as a full course or embedded within a related course, or whether the content was required or an elective, and if the course was taught by an expert was obtained. Results Significant differences were present in the amount, quality, and type of course content offered for cleft/craniofacial anomalies compared to fluency disorders. Only 72.83% of graduate speech-language pathologist programs offered content in cleft/craniofacial anomalies. Approximately one out of every four programs (27.17%) did not provide this content within the graduate curriculum. In contrast, content in fluency disorders was taught in 99.28% of graduate programs. Conclusion Results demonstrate that graduate training in topics related to cleft/craniofacial anomalies is significantly limited, particularly in comparison to another low-incidence communication disorder.

HortScience ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 519B-519
Author(s):  
Kim Williams ◽  
Ellen T. Paparozzi ◽  
Jerry Maranville

As universities are required to “right-size,” faculty resources of time and expertise are strained as the institution must cater to undergraduate students while providing a complete graduate curriculum. Thus, many institutions are offering more team taught courses. For a new upper-level undergraduate and lower-level graduate course offering in Plant Nutrition and Nutrient Management, the team consists of faculty from two institutions who each bring different expertise into the classroom. The course utilized weekly chat room discussions to bring students into contact with experts from around the United States and the world. Two-way compressed video was used to allow for synchronous lecture delivery and discussion across sites. A Web site was created to facilitate student interaction and provide chat room access. Multiple student evaluations were conducted to separate learning objectives with the effectiveness of using technology. A flow-chart will be presented which details the steps and problems/accomplishments encountered in successfully delivering this course via distance technologies, including: funding procurement, determining technological compatibility across institutions, delineation of course content, Web page development, and course evaluations.


2014 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-32
Author(s):  
Margaret Leahy ◽  
Joseph Agius ◽  
Carl Hylebos ◽  
Luc De Nil ◽  
Kurt Eggers

Background: The European Clinical Specialization in Fluency Disorders (ECSF) is a 1-year postgraduate course for speech and language therapists (known as speech-language pathologists in the United States). The program was developed by a consortium whose members are specialists in fluency disorders from European universities/colleges. The consortium expanded to include other EU college members and specialists from EU centers of clinical excellence. Purpose: This paper presents an evaluative review by students and teachers who have participated in the initial 4 years of ECSF courses. Methodology: Two mixed methods online survey questionnaire were used, one for each group (student course participants and consortium members, designated as teachers throughout the paper) with quantitative, comparative data gathering, along with elements of qualitative data emerging from invited comments, and from open-ended questions. Results: High and relatively high levels of satisfaction were expressed by all participants regarding the overall experience of ECSF. There was a wider range of satisfaction expressed by student participants regarding aspects of course content and experience of clinical work. Participants' responses providing qualitative data indicate major influences of the ECSF on professional development, and strong appreciation of participation in ECSF.


2011 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-22
Author(s):  
Rosemary Griffin

National legislation is in place to facilitate reform of the United States health care industry. The Health Care Information Technology and Clinical Health Act (HITECH) offers financial incentives to hospitals, physicians, and individual providers to establish an electronic health record that ultimately will link with the health information technology of other health care systems and providers. The information collected will facilitate patient safety, promote best practice, and track health trends such as smoking and childhood obesity.


2010 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evelyn R. Klein ◽  
Barbara J. Amster

Abstract A study by Yaruss and Quesal (2002), based on responses from 134 of 239 ASHA accredited graduate programs, indicated that approximately 25% of graduate programs in the United States allow students to earn their degree without having coursework in fluency disorders and 66% of programs allow students to graduate without clinical experience treating people who stutter (PWS). It is not surprising that many clinicians report discomfort in treating PWS. This cross-sectional study compares differences in beliefs about the cause of stuttering between freshman undergraduate students enrolled in an introductory course in communicative disorders and graduate students enrolled and in the final weeks of a graduate course in fluency disorders.


2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (4) ◽  
pp. 1172-1186
Author(s):  
Carolina Beita-Ell ◽  
Michael P. Boyle

Purpose The purposes of this study were to examine the self-efficacy of school-based speech-language pathologists (SLPs) in conducting multidimensional treatment with children who stutter (CWS) and to identify correlates of self-efficacy in treating speech-related, social, emotional, and cognitive domains of stuttering. Method Three hundred twenty randomly selected school-based SLPs across the United States responded to an online survey that contained self-efficacy scales related to speech, social, emotional, and cognitive components of stuttering. These ratings were analyzed in relation to participants' beliefs about stuttering treatment and their comfort level in treating CWS, perceived success in therapy, and empathy levels, in addition to their academic and clinical training in fluency disorders as well as demographic information. Results Overall, SLPs reported moderate levels of self-efficacy on each self-efficacy scale and on a measure of total self-efficacy. Significant positive associations were observed between SLPs' self-efficacy perceptions and their comfort level in treating CWS, self-reported success in treatment, beliefs about the importance of multidimensional treatment, and self-reported empathy. There were some discrepancies between what SLPs believed was important to address in stuttering therapy and how they measured success in therapy. Conclusions Among school-based SLPs, self-efficacy for treating school-age CWS with a multidimensional approach appears stronger than previously reported; however, more progress in training and experience is needed for SLPs to feel highly self-efficacious in these areas. Continuing to improve clinician self-efficacy for stuttering treatment through improved academic training and increased clinical experiences should remain a high priority in order to enhance outcomes for CWS. Supplemental Material https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.12978194


2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S176-S177
Author(s):  
Alexa Barwick ◽  
Dana Y Nakamura ◽  
James H Holmes ◽  
Joseph Molnar

Abstract Introduction Facial burns can be complicated by the development of scar tissue and contractures, resulting in decreased flexibility of the tissue involved in swallowing, facial expression, and verbal communication. Maximizing functional range of motion is an important preventative measure for improving functional outcomes for swallowing, communication, and for the prevention of microstomia. A range of therapy interventions including stretching, massage, compression, and use of appliances has been reported in the literature; however, there is limited to no information on current practice patterns amongst North American providers (MD, DO, PA, NP, etc.) or therapists (PT, OT, and SLP). Methods A RedCap survey was developed by a Speech-Language Pathologist and Occupational Therapist involved in burn care. The survey consisted of 18 total questions, with participants responding to between 12–13 questions due to branching logic. Questions were related to demographic and service provision related to facial massage and stretching. Survey questions were multiple choice, multiple answer multiple choice, or contained text boxes. The survey was distributed to Providers and Therapists from the United Stated of America and Canada who were members of the American Burn Association (ABA). Results A total of 69 surveys were collected, with 57 surveys meeting criteria for inclusion. Respondents consisted of therapists 68%, providers 23%, and other health professionals 9%. Forty-six ABA burn centers from across the United States and Canada were represented. The majority of respondents had over 10 years of experience working with burn patients. 91% of respondents reported that facial massage and stretching was used as a tool at their facility. Respondents, who report facial massage is utilized at their facility, report OT as being the primary discipline responsible for assessing (67%) and completing (65%) facial massage, with 85% reporting additional discipline(s) also participating in facial massage. 9% of respondents report that facial massage and stretching is not utilized at their facility following facial burns. Of those who responded that facial massage and stretching is not utilized following facial burns, 40% felt this would be beneficial to patients, while 60% were unsure. Conclusions Facial scar management is an important part of burn care, with the majority of respondents reporting completion of facial massage and stretching as part of the services provided to patients who have suffered facial burns. OTs are the primary service providers for facial massage and stretching post facial burn. Practices for facial massage varies greatly, with the majority of respondents reporting no specific protocol for facial massage and stretching is followed.


2014 ◽  
Vol 80 (3) ◽  
pp. 219-228 ◽  
Author(s):  
Girish P. Joshi ◽  
David E. Beck ◽  
Roger Hill Emerson ◽  
Thomas M. Halaszynski ◽  
Jonathan S. Jahr ◽  
...  

Despite advances in pharmacologic options for the management of surgical pain, there appears to have been little or no overall improvement over the last two decades in the level of pain experienced by patients. The importance of adequate and effective surgical pain management, however, is clear, because inadequate pain control 1) has a wide range of undesirable physiologic and immunologic effects; 2) is associated with poor surgical outcomes; 3) has increased probability of readmission; and 4) adversely affects the overall cost of care as well as patient satisfaction. There is a clear unmet need for a national surgical pain management consensus task force to raise awareness and develop best practice guidelines for improving surgical pain management, patient safety, patient satisfaction, rapid postsurgical recovery, and health economic outcomes. To comprehensively address this need, the multidisciplinary Surgical Pain Congress™ has been established. The inaugural meeting of this Congress (March 8 to 10, 2013, Celebration, Florida) evaluated the current surgical pain management paradigm and identified key components of best practices.


1980 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 34-41
Author(s):  
Gail Guntermann

During most of the present decade the foreign-language teaching profession in the United States has devoted prodigious efforts to the creation and publication of classroom exercises to develop the learners' ability to communicate. While the resulting diversity of activities bears testimony to the ingenuity of foreign language educators, it also manifests the lack of a coherent system for specifying objectives and creating or selecting appropriate activities for practice. That ubiquitous term “communicative competence” has lacked an operational definition. The concept of functional syllabus design, founded on the identification of the sociolinguistic factors that comprise communication events, suggests some means to fill that void. Once the learners' communication needs have been ascertained, inventories of functions, notions, and keys should be valuable tools for selecting appropriate linguistic exponents and generally determining course content.


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