Student Clinicians Self-Evaluating Performance by Reviewing Session Videos and Using a Rubric

Development of self-evaluation skills in student clinicians is a crucial element of clinical education. This article reviews pertinent information regarding supervisors' responsibilities related to teaching supervisees to self-evaluate. Previously identified methods of facilitating these skills are discussed. The use of video self-analyses paired with self-evaluation rubrics is explored.

An International Perspective on Speech-Language Pathology Assistants

In 2011, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Bank highlighted several pressing concerns in the area of service provision to individuals with disabilities, including a global shortage of rehabilitation personnel. The use of mid-level workers was recommended as one strategy for improving human resource capacity in this area. In the United States, speech-language pathology assistants (SLPAs) are one type of mid-level worker that has received recent attention. The American Speech-Language and Hearing Association (ASHA) updated its policy statement on SLPAs in 2013 and also implemented a voluntary affiliation for assistants in 2011. Unfortunately, a paucity of research exists in the United States on this topic. Internationally, however, researchers have reported on the topic of assistants in the field of speech-language pathology. This manuscript serves as an integrative review of the research literature on the topic of assistants in the field of speech-language pathology from an international perspective, including information on the effectiveness of assistants in service provision, important elements related to their training and supervision, opinions from supervisors on this topic, and novel extensions of assistant services to areas such as cross-disciplinary tasks and telerehabilitation.

SIG 11 Perspectives Vol. 25, No. 2, October 2015

Download the CE Questions PDF from the toolbar, above. Use the questions to guide your Perspectives reading. When you're ready, purchase the activity from the ASHA Store and follow the instructions to take the exam in ASHA's Learning Center. Available until September 14, 2018.

Preliminary Findings on the Use of Session Questionnaires to Improve Clinician-Client Alliance With Special Consideration to Clinical Education

ASHA's focus on evidence-based practice (EBP) includes the family/stakeholder perspective as an important tenet in clinical decision making. The common factors model for treatment effectiveness postulates that clinician-client alliance positively impacts therapeutic outcomes and may be the most important factor for success. One strategy to improve alliance between a client and clinician is the use of outcome questionnaires. In the current study, eight parents of toddlers who attended therapy sessions at a university clinic responded to a session outcome questionnaire that included both rating scale and descriptive questions. Six graduate students completed a survey that included a question about the utility of the questionnaire. Results indicated that the descriptive questions added value and information compared to using only the rating scale. The students were varied in their responses regarding the effectiveness of the questionnaire to increase their comfort with parents. Information gathered from the questionnaire allowed for specific feedback to graduate students to change behaviors and created opportunities for general discussions regarding effective therapy techniques. In addition, the responses generated conversations between the client and clinician focused on clients' concerns. Involving the stakeholder in identifying both effective and ineffective aspects of therapy has advantages for clinical practice and education.

An Investigation Into Supervision Techniques to Support Shy CSD Students

This article investigates supervision techniques that enabled graduate students who labeled themselves as shy to participate in a summer clinical experience. Through detailed analyses, it is shown how peer collaboration, continued modeling, technology, and humor allowed two shy students to successfully complete the experience. The article proposes that these supervision techniques may help students transcend an intrinsic shyness.

Clinical Supervision and the Use of a Three-Tiered Hierarchical Approach to Evaluate Student Clinician Performance

Effective university clinical supervision requires the clinical instructor to modify supervisory style based on the student clinician's skill level, experience, and learning style. In addition, clinical education programs provide clinical instructors with an evaluation tool to assess the supervisee's clinical performance. This article reviews the supervisory process and models for modifying supervisory styles and describes various evaluation tools that can be used to evaluate clinical skills. A clinical evaluation tool is then introduced that emphasizes clinical proficiency rather than type of clinical supervision. The tool incorporates hierarchical expectations when evaluating student clinician practicum knowledge and skills across three levels of student clinicians: beginning, intermediate, and advanced. Information is provided about the content of the three-tiered hierarchical evaluation tool and the process used to assess clinical performance. Qualitative feedback from surveys completed by clinical instructors and student clinicians about the tool is reviewed.

SIG 11 Perspectives Vol. 25, No. 1, June 2015

Download the CE Questions PDF from the toolbar, above. Use the questions to guide your Perspectives reading. When you're ready, purchase the activity from the ASHA Store and follow the instructions to take the exam in ASHA's Learning Center. Available until April 11, 2018.

Exploring the Differences in Expectations Between Supervisors and Supervisees During the Initial Clinical Experience

The clinical experience is a major component of the curriculum for graduate degree programs in speech-language pathology. During this experience, the supervisor provides the student with the support needed to grow as a clinician. Both supervisors and students enter into the supervisory process with a variety of goals, skills, and expectations. In this article, the author presents the results of a survey in which the expectations of novice clinicians are compared to the expectations of their supervisors. Identification of the expectations of these groups assisted in determining the concerns of both supervisors and supervisees, and in assessing discrepancies, which affect the supervisor's ability to meet the student's needs. An analysis of the data revealed discrepancies in expectations of these groups. A review of expectations of novice clinicians in their first clinical experience revealed a limited understanding of the expectations of supervisors, while students entering their second clinical experience noted increased expectations for cooperative learning and supervisor feedback. Both first and second semester students expected supervisors to provide direct support throughout both clinical experiences. While supervisors expected to provide direct support to clinicians at the beginning of their first clinical experience, they anticipated moving to indirect support as the students progressed.