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‘Thinking for two’: a case study of speech and language therapists working through assistants
Author(s) -
McCartney Elspeth,
Boyle James,
Bannatyne Susan,
Jessiman Emma,
Campbell Cathy,
Kelsey Cherry,
Smith Jennifer,
McArthur Jane,
O'Hare Anne
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
international journal of language and communication disorders
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.101
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1460-6984
pISSN - 1368-2822
DOI - 10.1080/13682820400016514
Subject(s) - psychology , intervention (counseling) , variety (cybernetics) , medical education , scale (ratio) , work (physics) , applied psychology , speech language pathology , medicine , psychiatry , computer science , mechanical engineering , physics , quantum mechanics , artificial intelligence , engineering , physical therapy
Abstract Background : Many speech and language therapists (SLTs) in the UK work with speech and language therapy assistants, and the numbers of SLT assistants is expected to grow. There has been very little empirical investigation of how SLTs feel about this situation or the effect on working practices of working indirectly. Aims : To investigate SLTs' opinions on working with SLT assistants in a small‐scale research case study. Methods & Procedures : The study design was a case study of five SLTs delivering intervention within a research intervention project. Prepared questionnaire and formal interview techniques were used to elicit opinions on working through assistants, and a content analysis was performed. Outcomes & Results : Although respondents could see value in working through assistants, they stressed the time required to do so and the difficulties of adapting and updating therapy plans when working indirectly. Conclusions : The study suggests a variety of factors that have to be carefully managed if SLTs are to work competently through assistants.