Results of a Survey Offering Clinical Insights into Speech-Language Pathology Telepractice Methods

Abstract

A telepractice survey was administered to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Special Interest Group 18 Telepractice affiliates and attendees of the Waldo County General Hospital Speech-Language Pathology Telepractice Training program in Maine, USA over the summer of 2016. Sixty-seven respondents completed the survey. The survey explored demographics of clients and clinicians, costs and equipment, learning opportunities, use of the client’s environment and caregivers/e-helpers, and method adaptations in telepractice. The results of the survey provide information on the current state of telepractice methods in speech-language pathology from experienced practitioners. This information may be used to develop telepractice models and to prepare speech-language pathology graduate students in the delivery of telepractice methods.

The Implementation of Telepractice in Speech Language Pathology in Hong Kong During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…There were two more surveys conducted on the use of telepractice in speech language pathology that investigated more specific areas. One study by Grillo et al 20 investigated the costing, methodology differences between face-to-face, and telepractice. The types of learning opportunities offered through telepractice and the manipulation of the clients' environment were also investigated.…”

Building a Successful Voice Telepractice Program

“…Examples of such platforms include Zoom, VSee, ooVoo, Bluejeans, doxy.me, Cisco Webex, and so forth. According to a recent survey of synchronous technology used by practicing telepractice clinicians, Webex (42%) and Zoom (35%) were the most common platforms (Grillo, 2017b). At a minimum, the videoconferencing platform should allow screen share, allow recording of sessions to a local computer for later use in asynchronous activities, optimize bandwidth based on the client and the clinician’s network with automatic adjusting for video and audio quality when bandwidth slows, encrypt transmission of information, never have access to ePHI, and not store information that is transmitted.…”

“…The client may elect to keep the materials for later use. According to a recent survey of practicing telepractice clinicians, asynchronous activities were typically offered through e-mail (73%), recorded videos (38%), and custom programs (20%; Grillo, 2017b). The activities involved homework (81%), recording speech samples (31%), and recording communication interactions (27%).…”

“…Telepractice inherently supports functional assessment and treatment goals that are immediately trialed in the client’s environment. Use of the environment may occur synchronously, as reported by 60% of clinicians using telepractice and asynchronously, as reported by 29% of clinicians using telepractice (Grillo, 2017b). According to clinicians who use telepractice, responses suggest that the environment is used more for treatment rather than assessment (Grillo, 2017b).…”

“…Use of the environment may occur synchronously, as reported by 60% of clinicians using telepractice and asynchronously, as reported by 29% of clinicians using telepractice (Grillo, 2017b). According to clinicians who use telepractice, responses suggest that the environment is used more for treatment rather than assessment (Grillo, 2017b). Voice therapy can be conducted in the client’s place of residence, work place, performance space, educational setting, and caregiver or friend’s home, just to name a few.…”