Narratives of Expert Speech-Language Pathologists: Defining Clinical Expertise and Supporting Knowledge Transfer

Clinical expertise is a component of evidence-based practice; however, relatively little attention has been paid to this phenomenon in the professional literature of speech-language pathology. This may have negative impacts on the training of pre-professional and novice speech-language pathologists. The purpose of this study was to examine professional narratives of expert Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) to consider applications for knowledge transfer between expert clinicians and novice clinicians. Collection of the professional narratives of 10 expert SLPs were obtained through in-depth interviews. Interviews were transcribed and coded for themes. Themes that impacted expertise in SLP included: training; work sites; individual and clinician traits; a holistic versus disorder-specific view; technical excellence; acknowledgment of and reflection upon mistakes; professional networking; peer and patient recognition; and, embracing the creative. Within the narratives, implications toward knowledge transfer for novice clinicians were evident. Narratives of expert SLPs may facilitate knowledge transfer of clinical expertise. Of the nine themes identified, seven were consistent with previous literature, and two were not. The themes provide an opportunity for further research and development, largely concerning knowledge transfer in clinical education

Narrative Analysis

[Book Description] Qualitative research enriches the field of communication disorders because it has the potential to explore client experience and clinician expertise, so crucial in evidence-based practice, and complements the knowledge gained using quantitative methods. This book extends the foundational knowledge provided in Qualitative Research in Communication Disorders (2019) by going deeper into data analysis methods. Contributions from researchers worldwide will explain and illustrate, through case studies, various qualitative data analysis methods. Well established, commonly-used data analysis methods are included, as well as new and innovative methods emerging in other disciplines which have great applicability to speech and language therapy research. As well as describing and illustrating analysis methods, the book will describe how to achieve rigour in using the various methods of data analysis. There will also be discussion on ways in which qualitative analysis lends itself not only to research but also quality improvement and evaluations in clinical practice.https://nsuworks.nova.edu/hpd_facbooks/1005/thumbnail.jp

Therapy discharge becomes part of the life story

Despite great strides in the life-participation approach to aphasia therapy and the arduous work of several therapists to include patients in the decision-making and goal-setting process of therapy, the patient\u27s direct perspective on the experience of treatment is seldom portrayed in academic journals. In the current article, the voices and different agendas of a stroke survivor with aphasia, her speech-language therapists, and an aspiring qualitative researcher are discussed by means of intertwined narratives, dialogues, and discourses. During an in-depth interview process, the researcher hears the effects of a discharge report on the perceptions and life course of a person living with aphasia. The researcher explores her own reactions and thoughts about the discharge process and report writing. The narratives in this article illustrate the potentially serious impact of seemingly routine clinical procedures, such as a discharge report

[Chapter 10] Supporting Communication with Partner Training

[Book Description] This comprehensive text arms SLPs and other service providers with research-based strategies, supports, and technologies that improve outcomes for adults with chronic or acute aphasia.https://nsuworks.nova.edu/hpd_facbooks/1010/thumbnail.jp