Poster Session #2: UC Ballroom
Presentation Type
Poster
Faculty Mentor’s Full Name
Dr. Catherine Off
Faculty Mentor’s Department
Communicative Sciences and Disorders
Abstract / Artist's Statement
Telepractice in the Field of Speech-Language Pathology
The rural areas of Montana are in critical need of speech-language pathologists (SLPs). A relatively new delivery model, telepractice, was approved by the Montana legislature in November of 2013 for use by SLPs and audiologists in the state of Montana. Telepractice involves the use of telecommunication platforms to deliver speech-language pathology services for people who may not have access to services as a result of geographic, physical, or financial barriers. Telepractice has the potential to alleviate the existing SLP shortage and improve outreach to rural areas of Montana. Through the University of Montana RiteCare Speech, Language, and Hearing Clinic (RiteCare Clinic), researchers are piloting a telepractice program. The current study evaluates the concerns, perceptions, and satisfaction of patients and practitioners that participate in telepractice therapy services at the clinic. Research participants are interviewed before telepractice begins to assess their current comfort level with technology and concerns they have about telepractice before it begins. After a semester of speech and language teletherapy, participants are interviewed again. The post-treatment interview assesses the participants’ comfort level with technology, positive and negative feedback about their experience with the telepractice service delivery model, and whether they would recommend using telepractice to others with similar circumstances. The qualitative results from this study will inform the Montana Speech Language and Hearing Association, the Montana Board of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists, and provide important feasibility information for SLPs who are considering using this delivery model in the state of Montana. Ongoing telepractice research across the country continues to evaluate the effectiveness of telepractice compared to traditional in-person services. This project seeks to assess common complications of administering telepractice in the state of Montana and to determine what clients and practitioners find to be satisfactory and beneficial about this delivery model of therapy.
Category
Life Sciences
Telepractice in the Field of Speech-Language Pathology
Telepractice in the Field of Speech-Language Pathology
The rural areas of Montana are in critical need of speech-language pathologists (SLPs). A relatively new delivery model, telepractice, was approved by the Montana legislature in November of 2013 for use by SLPs and audiologists in the state of Montana. Telepractice involves the use of telecommunication platforms to deliver speech-language pathology services for people who may not have access to services as a result of geographic, physical, or financial barriers. Telepractice has the potential to alleviate the existing SLP shortage and improve outreach to rural areas of Montana. Through the University of Montana RiteCare Speech, Language, and Hearing Clinic (RiteCare Clinic), researchers are piloting a telepractice program. The current study evaluates the concerns, perceptions, and satisfaction of patients and practitioners that participate in telepractice therapy services at the clinic. Research participants are interviewed before telepractice begins to assess their current comfort level with technology and concerns they have about telepractice before it begins. After a semester of speech and language teletherapy, participants are interviewed again. The post-treatment interview assesses the participants’ comfort level with technology, positive and negative feedback about their experience with the telepractice service delivery model, and whether they would recommend using telepractice to others with similar circumstances. The qualitative results from this study will inform the Montana Speech Language and Hearing Association, the Montana Board of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists, and provide important feasibility information for SLPs who are considering using this delivery model in the state of Montana. Ongoing telepractice research across the country continues to evaluate the effectiveness of telepractice compared to traditional in-person services. This project seeks to assess common complications of administering telepractice in the state of Montana and to determine what clients and practitioners find to be satisfactory and beneficial about this delivery model of therapy.