Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Unlocking The Power Of Experiential Learning: Student Reported Changes Following Combined Nicu Instruction, Megan M. Black, Natalie A. Perkins, Valerie F. Mcdaniel

Pacific Journal of Health

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the impact of in-person observation, in conjunction with didactic lectures, on students' perceived knowledge of speech-language pathology's (SLP) role and the roles of other healthcare professionals within the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

Method: Data for this study were initially collected for educational purposes and were later retrospectively analyzed with Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval. Ten participants who met the inclusion criteria underwent a didactic lecture on SLPs in the NICU followed by observing an SLP in action at a local NICU. Participants completed multiple surveys, allowing for a comparison of their perceived knowledge …

Influence Of Personality On Ethical Decision-Making In Communication Sciences And Disorders, Jennifer K. Binkley, Terry W. Baggs

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: A relationship between personality and ethical decision-making has been demonstrated in professions both within and outside of healthcare. However, this relationship has not been examined in the rehabilitation therapies, including speech-language pathology (SLP). Given the ethical dilemmas faced by therapists, it is important to assess this relationship and to modify ethical training when warranted. Methods: A total of 175 undergraduate communication sciences and disorders students participated in completing the Kiersey Temperament Sorter II and the Defining Issues Test-2. Scores were statistically compared to determine the relationship between the two assessments. Results: Based on a model of moral reasoning development, …

Student Perceptions Of Reading Preparation And Textbook Use In Professional Allied Health Programs, Laura Stimler, Camille Skubik-Peplaski, Melba G. Custer, Shirley P. O'Brien

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: In professional allied health education, textbooks are central to developing course content, student learning and certification exams, but little is known about the graduate student’s perspective. This study was intended to describe current trends in graduate students’ point of view, habits and opinions related to buying and using textbooks and other resources in allied health education. Methods: This was a multi-site collaborative research project. An electronic survey was developed to gather data on student habits and perspectives regarding textbook preferences including digital texts, academic reading, exam preparation, and obtaining course materials. The survey was distributed across four academic institutions. …

Structured Ethics Education In Speech-Language Pathology Graduate Students, Jennifer N. Gaylord, Stephanie M. Schaaf, Laura Liljequist, Kristie Guffey Ed.D.

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

This investigation compared the effect of ethics training embedded within a curriculum to structured ethics training regarding the ethics knowledge and self-reported comfort levels of first-year graduate students in speech-language pathology. Two equal, non-randomized groups of participants completed an ethics test and survey at three different times over the course of the investigation. The test and survey were administered prior to and after structured ethics training and ethics training embedded within the curriculum. The results of this study showed a significant difference in ethics knowledge after completion of the structured ethics training module for both groups. After receiving structured ethics …

The Utility Of Peer-To-Peer Practice For Teaching Speech-Language Pathology Students Transnasal Endoscopy, Laura L. Wolford, George W. Wolford, Charlotte A. Bolch

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Introduction: Transnasal flexible endoscopy (TNFE) is necessary for multiple assessments in speech-language pathology (SLP), but it is generally considered an advanced practice technique to be learned during clinical practice. As such, there is no standardized way that it is taught in training programs, leading to a substantial knowledge gap for new graduates. Though peer-to-peer practice has been discussed as an important step in training, it is not clear whether it confers additional benefits above and beyond simulation. This study sought to answer that question in the areas of student confidence, endoscopy speed, and motivation to pursue further TNFE experiences. Methods: …

Perceptions And Effects Of Online Clinical Preparation Modules For First-Semester Speech-Language Pathology Graduate Students, Elizabeth M. Leatherman, Kris Pedersen

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Students begin graduate school with varying backgrounds and experiences from their undergraduate program, which can result in different degrees of competence as they begin clinical work. This study investigated the effects of a series of seven online modules designed to review foundational clinical skills and enhance students’ clinical success. A cohort of 39 incoming graduate students at a midwestern university participated in the study and completed the modules during program orientation. Mixed methods were used to evaluate the effects and perceptions of the modules, including surveying students and the clinical faculty, comparing students’ clinical evaluations to those of previous students …

Clinical Education Outcomes And Research Directions In Speech-Language Pathology: A Scoping Review, George W. Wolford, Schea Fissel Brannick, Sarah Strother, Laura Wolford

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Purpose: To describe what researchers are investigating and how they are measuring the constructs of their investigations within the speech-language pathology (SLP) clinical education literature.

Method: A scoping review methodology (Arksey & O’Malley, 2005) was employed to develop a picture of clinical education articles which reported a measured outcome. Articles that met criteria were categorized by the purpose of the investigation and the outcome measures reported.

Result: 124 articles met inclusion criteria. Analysis of study purposes revealed a wide breadth of foci that were grouped into four broad clusters: Outcome Measures, Student Perspectives, Educational Contexts, and Teaching Methods. Most of …

Student Perceptions Of A Simulated Clinical Experience: A Pilot Study, Haley Elliott, Klaire Brumbaugh

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Purpose: The purpose of this qualitative study was to document the experience of using a computer-based simulated (Simucase, 2019) learning opportunity in a Master of Science in speech-language pathology program.

Method: Focus groups were held utilizing a semi-structured interview format. Themes were identified using a qualitative methodological approach. Participants were first year graduate students (N=10) that were interviewed after completing an eight-week simulated learning opportunity.

Results: Seven themes emerged from the data. The themes were as follows: setup of the computer-based simulation, the incorporation of computer-based simulation in courses, supplemental information that assisted in development of clinical knowledge, …

Interprofessional Experience For Future Education Professionals: School Psychology And Speech-Language Pathology Students, Shari L. Deveney, Brian Mckevitt

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Educational training programs are tasked with addressing potential barriers to interprofessional practice through experiences that promote interprofessional collaborations. The present study of interprofessional experiences (IPE) had both research and pedagogical purposes. The research purpose was to describe graduate student self-perceptions related to interprofessional teaming/collaboration before and after an IPE involving two educational training programs, school psychology and speech-language pathology. The pedagogical purpose was to convey a detailed description of a case-based IPE offered as a course assignment and offer implementation suggestions. Participants in this course-based IPE were 109 students in the school psychology and speech-language pathology graduate programs at a …

Toward The Development Of A Quick, Reliable Assessment Tool For Reflective Journals, April Garrity, Casey Keck, Janet L. Bradshaw, Keiko Ishikawa

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Reflective practice, including reflective writing, can facilitate enriched learning, especially when implemented as part of a service-learning (SL) experience. Reflection is a central component of service-learning (SL) experiences. Students’ reflective abilities are often measured through reflective journaling; however, assessment of students’ reflective journals is not always efficient and straightforward. The goal of the present study was to establish a simple, reliable, and relatively quick tool for use by busy college instructors seeking to encourage students’ deep learning through reflective writing. A total of 258 reflective journals from 43 graduate students in speech-language pathology were evaluated by three raters using a …

Communication Sciences And Disorders Graduate Students' Strengths And Vulnerabilities Related To Resilience: A Survey Of Graduate Programs, Janet Tilstra, Megan Coffman, Teresa Gonia, Caroline Koziol, Ellen Liebe

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Burnout in health care professionals may pose a threat to the quality of care provided in any setting. The purpose of this project was to examine dimensions related to future resilience in CSD graduate students. METHODS: In this project, 146 master’s degree students from Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) programs in the Midwest completed an online survey regarding lifestyle stresses affecting resilience, and patterns in five areas correlated with resilience. RESULTS: Top lifestyle stresses affecting academics were general stress, maintaining mental health, and sleep difficulties. Notably, more than half of the participants reported feeling rested three or fewer days …

Clinical Decision-Making In Speech-Language Pathology Graduate Students: Quantitative Findings, Carol C. Dudding, Danika L. Pfeiffer

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Clinicians’ decision-making skills are the foundation for the development and implementation of evidence-based practice to provide high quality clinical care. It is proposed that these skills are a result of hands-on clinical experiences (Crebbin, Beasley, & Watters, 2013). Yet some researchers contend that the development of clinical decision-making skills requires direct instruction in critical thinking (Abrami et al., 2011; Finn, 2011). The aim of this study was to explore if and when clinical decision-making processes of speech-language pathology (SLP) students change during graduate study. Web-based case simulations were used to elicit and measure clinical decision-making in eight graduate students at …