Effects of a Peer-Mentoring Program on Speech-Language Pathology Graduate Student Stress

Author(s):  
Stacie M. Greene

Purpose This study sought to examine the effects of a peer-mentoring program on first-year speech-language pathology graduate students' perceived stress levels. Method The researcher randomly assigned 10 first-year speech-language pathology graduate students to a mentee group. Students were then randomly matched with 10 second-year speech-language pathology graduate students in a peer-mentoring program for one semester. The researcher also randomly assigned 10 additional first-year speech-language pathology graduate students to a control group. Data were collected using the Perceived Stress Scale, a demographic survey, a peer-mentoring program tracking form, and an evaluation of the peer-mentoring program. Results This study indicates that first-semester graduate students in speech-language pathology experience moderate levels of perceived stress, and their perceived stress levels increased from the start to the end of the fall semester. In addition, a statistically significant difference was found between the students' perceived stress levels in the control and the mentee group at the end of the semester; the increase in perceived stress was greater among the control group than in the mentee group. This study also found a weak to moderate correlational relationship between participation in a peer-mentoring program and perceived stress levels at the end of the semester. Mentees reported overall positive feedback regarding the program and the effect that the program had on their perceived stress levels. Conclusion Results from this study indicate that peer mentoring may be an effective way to ameliorate perceived stress among first-semester graduate students in speech-language pathology.

2009 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 114-119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina Madix ◽  
Judith Oxley

Abstract The ability to integrate academic and clinical knowledge to achieve a metacognitive level of performance is paramount to being a strong clinician in the field of speech-language pathology. The support and encouragement provided by supervisors strengthens the students' abilities to develop and integrate their knowledge and strategy use in the clinical setting. This article examines the development of metacognitive thinking skills of two first-year graduate students enrolled in a graduate-level speech-language pathology program during their first semester of clinical practicum. A pilot study utilizing a qualitative approach of semi-structured interviews and video-taped therapy sessions was conducted to illustrate how differently graduate clinicians can mature in their clinical program.


Author(s):  
Dani Yomtov ◽  
Scott W. Plunkett ◽  
Rafi Efrat ◽  
Adriana Garcia Marin

The effectiveness of a peer-mentoring program was examined at a university in California. Previous studies suggest university peer mentoring might increase students' feelings of engagement, which can contribute to their retention. Pretest and posttest data were collected from 304 freshmen (mentored and nonmentored) during the fall of 2012 in a quasi-experimental design. Results indicated mentored students felt significantly more integrated and connected to their university at the end of their first semester compared with nonmentored students. Mentees also provided qualitative responses about what they found beneficial and what they felt could be improved in the program. Results suggested peer mentoring helped the students feel more integrated and supported at college, which might reinforce their persistence toward graduating.


2003 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Rodger ◽  
Paul F. Tremblay

The present study examines the effect of participation of first-year university students in a full-year peer mentoring program as well as individual differences in motivation in relation to outcome measures of retention and achievement. A sample of 983 first year students completed the Academic Motivation Inventory (Tremblay, 1998) and agreed to provide final grades; 537 students were randomly assigned to participate in the program, while the remainder served as a control group. Mentored students who continued to participate mid-way through the second semester had significantly higher final grades than did students in the control group. There was no effect on retention from year one to year two, however data are being collected on retention and grades for all groups for the length of their undergraduate careers. Students high in anxiety in the mentored group showed achievement comparable to that of low anxiety program participants, whereas students in the control group with high anxiety scored significantly worse on achievement than did their low anxiety counterparts.


Author(s):  
Samantha Dalessio ◽  
Nancy Carlino ◽  
Mary Barnum

Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the supervision-questioning-feedback (SQF) model of supervision on critical thinking in graduate students studying speech-language pathology. The researchers hypothesized that students who were provided with the SQF model of supervision would score higher than students who received the non-SQF (NSQF) style of supervision on the selected critical thinking measures. Method Seventeen out of 24 first semester graduate students in speech-language pathology completing their on-site university-based clinical practicum experience consented to participate in the study. Of the 17 participating first semester students, 9 were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 SQF trained supervisors, and the other 8 were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 NSQF trained supervisors for the duration of 1 semester. Additionally, 3 out of 24 fourth semester graduate students completing their off-site externship experience and their supervisors consented to participate in the study. Four additional study participants served as independent SQF-trained raters charged with the task of analyzing video recorded student-supervisor conferences to determine whether the SQF model of supervision was being implemented. Prior to and at the conclusion of the clinical experience, all participating students completed two measures of critical thinking: (1) California Critical Thinking Skills Test (CCTST) and (2) two Simucase® clinical simulations. At the conclusion of the clinical experience, seventeen out of 20 participating students (11/12 SQF students and 6/8 NSQF students) completed a post-survey rating their supervisory experience . Results For participating first semester students, there were no overall statistically significant differences between SQF and NSQF groups as measured by pre to post completion of (1) CCTST (p=.544) and (2) two Simucase® clinical simulations (p=.781). The 3 participating fourth semester students who received the SQF model of supervision also showed no statistically significant differences on pre to post completion of the (1) CCTST (p=.827) and (2) two Simucase® virtual cases (p=.879). Results from SQF ratings revealed variability in the implementation of the SQF model across supervisors with a moderate level of inter-rater agreement. Results from post surveys completed by students showed that students preferred the SQF model of supervision over the NSQF model (p=.044). Conclusion Results from this preliminary study indicated that the SQF model did not influence the overall outcomes on the selected critical thinking measures. Student preference for the SQF model may support existing evidence that learning clinicians want to be actively engaged in the supervisory process. There were several limitations to this study including the small sample size, variability in the implementation of the SQF model across supervisors, sensitivity of the selected critical thinking measures, and timing of post-intervention procedures. Further investigation of the effects of SQF on students’ critical thinking is warranted.


Author(s):  
Megann McGill ◽  
Qiana Dennard

Purpose The purpose of this article was to describe a cross-sectional research study exploring the perceived knowledge, skills, and attitudes of telepractice service delivery use among speech-language pathology graduate students during the onset of the COVID-19 global pandemic. Method Students' perceived knowledge, skills, and attitudes toward telepractice were examined through an online questionnaire that contained 23 questions, including five demographic questions and 18 Likert scale questions. Participants were 189 graduate students (96% female, 60% first-year graduate students) currently enrolled in speech-language pathology graduate programs. Statistical analyses on students' responses, including independent-samples t tests and correlations, were conducted. Results Only 20% of respondents stated they had provided services via telepractice. Most participants reported slightly more confidence in their perceived skills related to telepractice as compared to their perceived knowledge of telepractice. Students who had prior experience with telepractice were more likely to provide higher ratings compared to those with no experience. Higher ratings of perceived telepractice knowledge and skills were observed for second-year and third-year graduate students compared to first-year students. Positive correlations were observed between students' higher confidence in perceived knowledge and skills related to telepractice and their attitudes toward the service delivery model. Despite positive responses related to perceived telepractice knowledge and skills, the majority of participants reported preferring in-person services over telepractice. Conclusions Taken together, results of this study demonstrate there is an ongoing need for additional telepractice training programs in speech-language pathology focusing on areas in which students feel least comfortable. Telepractice clinical implications and graduate program training recommendations are discussed.


2011 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 30-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sena Crutchley

This article describes how a telepractice pilot project was used as a vehicle to train first-year graduate clinicians in speech-language pathology. To date, six graduate clinicians have been trained in the delivery of telepractice at The University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Components of telepractice training are described and the benefits and limitations of telepractice as part of clinical practicum are discussed. In addition, aspects of training support personnel involved in telepractice are outlined.


2004 ◽  
Vol 31 (Fall) ◽  
pp. 205-214
Author(s):  
Mary Aguila-Vinson ◽  
Jennifer Lister ◽  
Theresa Hnath-Chisolm ◽  
Patricia Blake-Rahter

Author(s):  
Jacqueline A. Towson ◽  
Matthew S. Taylor ◽  
Diana L. Abarca ◽  
Claire Donehower Paul ◽  
Faith Ezekiel-Wilder

Purpose Communication between allied health professionals, teachers, and family members is a critical skill when addressing and providing for the individual needs of patients. Graduate students in speech-language pathology programs often have limited opportunities to practice these skills prior to or during externship placements. The purpose of this study was to research a mixed reality simulator as a viable option for speech-language pathology graduate students to practice interprofessional communication (IPC) skills delivering diagnostic information to different stakeholders compared to traditional role-play scenarios. Method Eighty graduate students ( N = 80) completing their third semester in one speech-language pathology program were randomly assigned to one of four conditions: mixed-reality simulation with and without coaching or role play with and without coaching. Data were collected on students' self-efficacy, IPC skills pre- and postintervention, and perceptions of the intervention. Results The students in the two coaching groups scored significantly higher than the students in the noncoaching groups on observed IPC skills. There were no significant differences in students' self-efficacy. Students' responses on social validity measures showed both interventions, including coaching, were acceptable and feasible. Conclusions Findings indicated that coaching paired with either mixed-reality simulation or role play are viable methods to target improvement of IPC skills for graduate students in speech-language pathology. These findings are particularly relevant given the recent approval for students to obtain clinical hours in simulated environments.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (11) ◽  
pp. 73-78
Author(s):  
David W. Rule ◽  
Lisa N. Kelchner

Telepractice technology allows greater access to speech-language pathology services around the world. These technologies extend beyond evaluation and treatment and are shown to be used effectively in clinical supervision including graduate students and clinical fellows. In fact, a clinical fellow from the United States completed the entire supervised clinical fellowship (CF) year internationally at a rural East African hospital, meeting all requirements for state and national certification by employing telesupervision technology. Thus, telesupervision has the potential to be successfully implemented to address a range of needs including supervisory shortages, health disparities worldwide, and access to services in rural areas where speech-language pathology services are not readily available. The telesupervision experience, potential advantages, implications, and possible limitations are discussed. A brief guide for clinical fellows pursuing telesupervision is also provided.


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