Addressing Rural Populations and The Speech-Language Pathologist Shortage with Telepractice Marnee Brick, MS.c Director of Speech Therapy TinyEYE Therapy Services http://www.TinyEYE.com

“ We had to advertise all year, and we simply had no applications.” -Special Education Director http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060704/INSCHOOL/607040310/1001/NEWS01

Speech Therapy Challenges in Rural Populations Travel time impacts work productivity Road conditions Lack of support staff Unequal therapy opportunities for rural students Hard to recruit in-house SLPs Overworked SLP Staff

Speech Therapy Challenges in Rural Populations

Travel time impacts work productivity

Road conditions

Lack of support staff

Unequal therapy opportunities for rural students

Hard to recruit in-house SLPs

Overworked SLP Staff

SLP Shortage Aging Workforce 7 Year Schooling Process Not Enough Master’s Students More Children in Need

SLP Shortage

Aging Workforce

7 Year Schooling Process

Not Enough Master’s Students

More Children in Need

Solution SPEECH THERAPY TELEPRACTICE

Solution

SPEECH THERAPY TELEPRACTICE

What Do You Think Speech Therapy Telepractice is???

ASHA’s Definition of Telepractice: In ASHA's recent position statements, telepractice is defined as "the application of telecommunications technology to delivery of professional services at a distance by linking clinician to client, or clinician to clinician, for assessment, intervention, and/or consultation." ASHA's position is that "telepractice is an appropriate model of service delivery for the professions of speech-language pathology [and audiology]. Telepractice may be used to overcome barriers of access to services caused by distance, unavailability of specialists and/or subspecialists, and impaired mobility." Telepractice offers "the potential to extend clinical services to remote, rural, and underserved populations, and to culturally and linguistically diverse populations.” http://www.asha.org/about/leadership-projects/archive/focused-initiatives/01-03-archive/telepractice.htm

So How is Telepractice a Real Solution? Equal Service Improved Productivity Lower Environmental Impact Lower Material Costs SLPs Can Be Located Anywhere

Common Fears and Concerns About Telepractice You Can’t Establish Rapport ! –Myth (Jeanne Juenger) You Can’t Serve Every Child’s Needs Telepractice replaces my job-Myth

#2: What options are there for Telepractice ? Many Video Conferencing Platforms Available Integrating Online Activities is Key

#1: What technology do you need for telepractice? Recent Computer with Monitor High-Speed Internet Web Cameras USB Headsets

#3: What are the licensing requirements? Be licensed in the state of the client

#4: What to consider before providing telepractice services? Consider hiring costs Consider productivity improvement Consider the ability to serve more children Consider the work-life balance of your SLPs

#5: How can you effectively communicate with parents regarding the use of telepractice?? Consent Forms Open Communication with SLP Educate Them

#6: How do you simplify the process of introducing new technology? Everyone is has to see the benefits involved The children being served is what’s most important

#7: How do you track the ROI (Return on Investment) on your technology investment? Increase in the number of students served Lower mileage and material costs Increase in the consistency of therapy Increase in the amount of students being discharged

Concluding Remarks

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