scholarly journals The process of telepractice implementation during the COVID-19 pandemic: a narrative inquiry of preschool speech-language pathologists and assistants from one center in Canada

2022 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elaine Yuen Ling Kwok ◽  
Jessica Chiu ◽  
Peter Rosenbaum ◽  
Barbara Jane Cunningham
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Narrative Inquiry ◽  
Lived Experience ◽  
Communication Disorders ◽  
Professional Services ◽  
Learning Climate ◽  
Team Approach ◽  
Speech Language Pathologists ◽  
Technological Support ◽  
Health Measures

Abstract Background Many professional services were pressed to adopt telepractice in response to the global coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic. The need to adopt a new service delivery approach quickly created different implementation challenges. This study explored the lived experiences of frontline clinicians who successfully transitioned their in-person speech-language therapy services to telepractice through an implementation science lens. Methods The study was conducted in partnership with one publicly funded program in Ontario, Canada that offers services to preschoolers with speech, language and communication disorders. Sixteen frontline speech-language pathologists and assistants at this organization shared their lived experience transitioning to telepractice during the pandemic during videoconference interviews. A narrative inquiry approach was used to analyze interview transcripts to identify the processes (or steps) this program took to implement telepractice and to understand the facilitators and barriers to telepractice implementation during the pandemic. Results The following six stages were identified from clinicians’ narratives: abrupt lockdown; weeks of uncertainty; telepractice emerged as an option; preparation for telepractice; telepractice trials; and finally, full implementation of telepractice. The stages of events offered significant insights into how government public health measures influenced clinicians’ decisions and their processes of adopting telepractice. In terms of barriers, clinicians reported a lack of knowledge, skills and experience with telepractice and a lack of technological support. The organization’s learning climate and team approach to transitioning services were identified as the main facilitator of implementation. Conclusions Findings suggest a need for better coordination of public health measures and professional services, which would have eased clinicians’ stress and facilitated an earlier transition to telepractice. Fostering an organization’s learning climate may improve organization’s resilience in response to emergency situations.

scholarly journals Understanding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on well-being and virtual care for people living with dementia and care partners living in the community

Dementia ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 147130122097763
Author(s):  
Pamela Roach ◽  
Angela Zwiers ◽  
Emily Cox ◽  
Karyn Fischer ◽  
Anna Charlton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Lived Experience ◽  
Neuropsychiatric Symptoms ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Health Measures ◽  
Care Partners ◽  
Field Note ◽  
Informal Supports ◽  
The Impact

The COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated public health measures that have impacted the provision of care for people living with dementia and their families. Additionally, the isolation that results from social distancing may be harming well-being for families as formal and informal supports become less accessible. For those living with dementia and experiencing agitation, social distancing may be even harder to maintain, or social distancing could potentially aggravate dementia-related neuropsychiatric symptoms. To understand the lived experience of social and physical distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada, we remotely interviewed 21 participants who normally attend a dementia specialty clinic in Calgary, Alberta, during a period where essential businesses were closed and health care had abruptly transitioned to telemedicine. A reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyze the interview and field note data. The impacts of the public health measures in response to the pandemic emerged through iterative analysis in three main categories of experience: (1) personal, (2) health services, and (3) health status (of both persons living with dementia and care partner). Isolation and mental health needs emerged as important impacts to family experiences. This in-depth understanding of the needs and experiences of the pandemic for people living with dementia suggests that innovative means are urgently needed to facilitate provision of remote medicine and also social interaction and integration.

scholarly journals Understanding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on well-being and virtual care for people living with dementia and care partners living in the community

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
P Roach ◽  
A Zwiers ◽  
E Cox ◽  
K Fischer ◽  
A Charlton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Lived Experience ◽  
Neuropsychiatric Symptoms ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
The Public ◽  
Health Measures ◽  
Care Partners ◽  
Informal Supports ◽  
The Impact

AbstractThe COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated public health measures that have impacted the provision of care for people living with dementia and their families. Additionally, the isolation that results from social distancing may be harming well-being for families, as formal and informal supports become less accessible. For those with living with dementia and experiencing agitation, social distancing may be even harder to maintain, or social distancing could potentially aggravate dementia-related neuropsychiatric symptoms. To understand the lived experience of social and physical distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada we remotely interviewed 21 participants who normally attend a dementia specialty clinic in Calgary, Alberta, during a period where essential businesses were closed and healthcare had abruptly transitioned to telemedicine. The impacts of the public health measures in response to the pandemic emerged in three main categories of experience: 1) personal; 2) health services; and 3) health status (of both person living with dementia and care partner). This in-depth understanding of the needs and experiences of the pandemic for people living with dementia suggests that innovative means are urgently needed to facilitate provision of remote medicine and also social interaction and integration.

Speech-Language Pathologists' Comfort Level With Use of Term “Stuttering” During Evaluations

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 841-850 ◽  
Author(s):  
Courtney T. Byrd ◽  
Danielle Werle ◽  
Kenneth O. St. Louis
Keyword(s):  
Communication Disorders ◽  
Academic Experiences ◽  
Comfort Level ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Clinical Experiences ◽  
Speech Language Pathologists ◽  
Comfort Levels ◽  
Parents And Children ◽  
Evaluation Feedback ◽  
Study Participants

Purpose Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) anecdotally report concern that their interactions with a child who stutters, including even the use of the term “stuttering,” might contribute to negative affective, behavioral, and cognitive consequences. This study investigated SLPs' comfort in providing a diagnosis of “stuttering” to children's parents/caregivers, as compared to other commonly diagnosed developmental communication disorders. Method One hundred forty-one school-based SLPs participated in this study. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two vignettes detailing an evaluation feedback session. Then, participants rated their level of comfort disclosing diagnostic terms to parents/caregivers. Participants provided rationale for their ratings and answered various questions regarding academic and clinical experiences to identify factors that may have influenced ratings. Results SLPs were significantly less likely to feel comfortable using the term “stuttering” compared to other communication disorders. Thematic responses revealed increased experience with a specific speech-language population was related to higher comfort levels with using its diagnostic term. Additionally, knowing a person who stutters predicted greater comfort levels as compared to other clinical and academic experiences. Conclusions SLPs were significantly less comfortable relaying the diagnosis “stuttering” to families compared to other speech-language diagnoses. Given the potential deleterious effects of avoidance of this term for both parents and children who stutter, future research should explore whether increased exposure to persons who stutter of all ages systematically improves comfort level with the use of this term.

A Survey of Speech-Language Pathologists' Approaches to Assessing Social Communication Disorders in Children

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-17
Author(s):  
Kristen Izaryk ◽  
Robin Edge ◽  
Dawn Lechwar
Keyword(s):  
Best Practices ◽  
Communication Disorders ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Speech Language Pathologists ◽  
Teacher Report ◽  
Formal Assessment ◽  
Language Sampling ◽  
Specific Assessment ◽  
Social Communication Disorders

Purpose The purpose of this article is to explore and describe the approaches and specific assessment tools that speech-language pathologists are currently using to assess social communication disorders (SCDs) in children, in relation to current best practices. Method Ninety-four speech-language pathologists completed an online survey asking them to identify which of the following approaches they use to assess children with SCD: parent/teacher report, naturalistic observation, formal assessment, language sample analysis, interviews, semistructured tasks, and peer/self-report. Participants were also asked to identify specific assessment tools they use within each approach. Results Participants most commonly assess SCDs by combining interviews, naturalistic observation, language sampling, parent/teacher report, and formal assessment. Semistructured tasks and peer/self-report tools were less frequently utilized. Several established parent/teacher report and formal assessment tools were commonly identified for assessing SCDs. Most participants use an informal approach for interviews, language sampling, and naturalistic observations in their SCD assessment process. Conclusions Generally, participants follow best practices for assessing SCDs by combining several different approaches. Some considerations for future assessment are identified, including the use of established protocols in the place of informal approaches in order to make the assessment of SCDs more systematic. Future directions for research are discussed.

Speech-Language Pathology in the Peace Corps: Necessity and Sustainability

2012 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-18
Author(s):  
Melissa A. Pierce
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Special Education ◽  
Peace Corps ◽  
People With Disabilities ◽  
Communication Disorders ◽  
The United States ◽  
Speech Language Pathology ◽  
Speech Language Pathologists ◽  
Language Pathology

In countries other than the United States, the study and practice of speech-language pathology is little known or nonexistent. Recognition of professionals in the field is minimal. Speech-language pathologists in countries where speech-language pathology is a widely recognized and respected profession often seek to share their expertise in places where little support is available for individuals with communication disorders. The Peace Corps offers a unique, long-term volunteer opportunity to people with a variety of backgrounds, including speech-language pathologists. Though Peace Corps programs do not specifically focus on speech-language pathology, many are easily adapted to the profession because they support populations of people with disabilities. This article describes how the needs of local children with communication disorders are readily addressed by a Special Education Peace Corps volunteer.

Combining Professional Interests and Travel: People to People Citizen Ambassador Program

2011 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 47-54
Author(s):  
Alex Johnson ◽  
Amanda Hitchins
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Health Education ◽  
Communication Disorders ◽  
Social Conditions ◽  
Speech Language Pathologists ◽  
Exchange Program

Abstract This article summarizes a series of trips sponsored by People to People, a professional exchange program. The trips described in this report were led by the first author of this article and include trips to South Africa, Russia, Vietnam and Cambodia, and Israel. Each of these trips included delegations of 25 to 50 speech-language pathologists and audiologists who participated in professional visits to learn of the health, education, and social conditions in each country. Additionally, opportunities to meet with communication disorders professionals, students, and persons with speech, language, or hearing disabilities were included. People to People, partnered with the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), provides a meaningful and interesting way to learn and travel with colleagues.

The Need for Nurse Training to Promote Improved Patient-Provider Communication for Patients With Complex Communication Needs

2013 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 112-119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Debora Downey ◽  
Mary Beth Happ
Keyword(s):  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Communication Disorders ◽  
Provider Communication ◽  
Nurse Training ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Speech Language Pathologists ◽  
Complex Communication Needs ◽  
Team Members ◽  
Patient Provider Communication ◽  
Communication Needs

Abstract Hospitalized patients across the age continuum often present with complex communication needs (CCN) due to motor, sensory, cognitive, and linguistic barriers they may experience during their admission. Although hospitals recognize the need to enhance communication to improve quality and safety for all patients, the emphasis has been primarily on improving ”care coordination” amongst the health care providers the patient encounters across all points of admission. Most hospitals have yet to focus on improving the patient-provider communication experience, especially for patients with CCN. However, this population no longer can be ignored, as new standards mandate efforts to improve communication for patients with CCN. Nurses, as the team members responsible for continuous care during hospital stays, and speech-language pathologists, as communication disorders specialists, are positioned distinctively to facilitate patient communication and prevent miscommunications between patients and care providers. This article highlights the need to enhance the patient-provider communication experience for patients with CCN. We review the state of nurse training for patients with CCN, discuss the role speech-language pathologists can play in developing and implementing nurse training protocols, and outline basic elements nurse training modules should include.

Understanding How Students Learn: Preparing Students to Become Professionals

2009 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-23
Author(s):  
Lizbeth Curme Stevens
Keyword(s):  
Service Learning ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Communication Disorders ◽  
Learning Opportunities ◽  
Graduate Courses ◽  
Speech Language Pathologists ◽  
Community Partners ◽  
Scholarship Of Teaching ◽  
Academic Service Learning

Abstract The intent of this article is to share my research endeavors in order to raise awareness of issues relative to what and how we teach as a means to spark interest in applying the scholarship of teaching and learning to what we do as faculty in communication sciences and disorders (CSD). My own interest in teaching and learning emerged rather abruptly after I introduced academic service-learning (AS-L) into one of my graduate courses (Stevens, 2002). To better prepare students to enter our profession, I have provided them with unique learning opportunities working with various community partners including both speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and teachers who supported persons with severe communication disorders.

Assessment of Cognitive-Communicative Disorders of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Sustained in Combat

2009 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 47-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Parrish ◽  
Carole Roth ◽  
Brooke Roberts ◽  
Gail Davie
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Mild Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Communication Disorders ◽  
Service Members ◽  
Patient Questionnaire ◽  
Speech Language Pathologists ◽  
Test Protocol ◽  
Communication Deficits

Abstract Background: Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is recognized as the signature injury of the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, yet there remains limited understanding of the persisting cognitive deficits of mTBI sustained in combat. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) have traditionally been responsible for evaluating and treating the cognitive-communication disorders following severe brain injuries. The evaluation instruments historically used are insensitive to the subtle deficits found in individuals with mTBI. Objectives: Based on the limited literature and clinical evidence describing traditional and current tests for measuring cognitive-communication deficits (CCD) of TBI, the strengths and weaknesses of the instruments are discussed relative to their use with mTBI. It is necessary to understand the nature and severity of CCD associated with mTBI for treatment planning and goal setting. Yet, the complexity of mTBI sustained in combat, which often co-occurs with PTSD and other psychological health and physiological issues, creates a clinical challenge for speech-language pathologists worldwide. The purpose of the paper is to explore methods for substantiating the nature and severity of CCD described by service members returning from combat. Methods: To better understand the nature of the functional cognitive-communication deficits described by service members returning from combat, a patient questionnaire and a test protocol were designed and administered to over 200 patients. Preliminary impressions are described addressing the nature of the deficits and the challenges faced in differentiating the etiologies of the CCD. Conclusions: Speech-language pathologists are challenged with evaluating, diagnosing, and treating the cognitive-communication deficits of mTBI resulting from combat-related injuries. Assessments that are sensitive to the functional deficits of mTBI are recommended. An interdisciplinary rehabilitation model is essential for differentially diagnosing the consequences of mTBI, PTSD, and other psychological and physical health concerns.

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