2008 Proceedings - St. Cloud State University

Abstracts
Session A All Disciplines Ballroom
Speech-Language Pathologists’ Knowledge and Beliefs About Evidence-Based Practice Usage
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Certificate of Clinical Competence standards now require speech-language
pathologists (SLPs) to use evidence-based practice (EBP) as part of clinical service delivery. SLPs have used treatment efficacy and
outcome models in the past; however, the full EBP model of the use of current best evidence integrated with clinical expertise and
client/family values is a recent addition to the field. Thus, SLPs who believe they use EBP may actually not be using it accurately. SLPs
also may have developed a variety of attitudes and beliefs about the use of EBP that may not be consistent with the current Asha model. It
is important that SLPs become aware of these factors so that misconceptions about EBP are prevented. The participants in this study
included a random selection of 36 SLPs who worked in either the medical or educational setting. They ranged in work experience from one
to 33 years with an average of 11.8 years. Student researchers interviewed and surveyed the participants then compiled the results. The
results of this study suggest that SLPs may not have a complete understanding of all the components that are included in the ASHA model
of EBP regardless of their work setting or amount of work experience. While most of the SLPs indicated they needed to increase their
knowledge about and skills in the use of EBP to remain effective in their positions, most also indicated they were up to date in their
knowledge and skills of EBP. Therefore, it is not entirely clear what the SLPs‘ level of competence is in EBP while delivering clinical
services. Despite this contradiction, most participants felt EBP was important to the profession. Future studies may need to address
obstacles as well as incentives for increasing knowledge and use of EBP by SLPs.
Presentation Index: A54
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Department: Communication Sciences and Disorders
Project Sponsor(s):
Student Presenter(s): Lamb, Kate; Pittman, Sarah; Rue, Laura; Carlson, Sarah Whites, Margery
Use of Evidence-Based Practice Principles in Service Delivery Planning by Speech-Language Pathologists
Evidence Based Practice (EBP) has recently become important in many professions, including speech language pathology. A critical
component of EBP is the integration of current best evidence with clinical expertise and client values. Thus, why and how speech-language
pathologists (SLPs) find and use evidence is of critical importance in day-to-day service delivery. This study sought to find out (1) why,
where, when, how and how often SLPs seek information when working with clients and (2) if SLPs use EBP principles in their service
delivery planning. Thirty-six SLPs, two males, 34 females, working primarily in the Midwest, participated in this research project. The SLP‘s
were employed in either the medical or school setting. All of the participants have obtained their Master‘s Degrees. Work experience
ranged from one to 33 years with a mean average of 11.8 years. Participants were divided into two groups: less experienced (1-7 years)
versus more experienced (8 + years.) The participants were interviewed and surveyed about their beliefs and use of EBP. Results of the
study indicated that most of the SLPs felt that EBP was an important and necessary part of providing the best therapy services possible.
The majority of the participants also felt they knew when they needed to review EBP, as well as how to evaluate treatment efficacy. Most
participants stated that they incorporated clinical expertise and research, but fewer indicated they incorporated client/patient values. Lastly,
the majority also agreed that the best way to further their clinical knowledge was to attend continuing education courses. Information from
this study suggests that many SLPs believe that using EBP is very important in providing therapy services.
Presentation Index: A55
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Department: Communication Sciences and Disorders
Project Sponsor(s):
Student Presenter(s): Gardner, Eric; Haider, Elizabeth; Day, Jolene;
Whites, Margery
Rhuby, Andrea; Paffrath,Lyndsey
Incidence of Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) in the Colony of NOD/Ltj Mice Models at Saint Cloud State University
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease that is characterized by an absence of insulin, because insulin-producing pancreatic beta
cells are destroyed by own immune T-cells. The best animal model for the study of T1D is a NOD mouse model. While the NOD mice are ~
99% genetically identical, it has been known that the environmental factors influence the incidence of the T1D. Therefore, it is necessary to
study the diabetes incidence in NOD mice in a particular environment before the further reseach is performed in these mice. Insulitis is a
characteristic histopathological lession of T1D that represents an accumulation of the immune T-cells in the pancreatic islets of
Langerhans. The objectives of this research is to study diabetes incidence and kinetic of insulitis development in our SCSU colony of
NOD/LtJ mice. Three breeding pairs of NOD/LtJ mice were purchased from The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME. Initially, the
breeding of these mice at SCSU was very problematical. The purchasing of the new caging system in our Animal room resolved that
problem and we were able to proceed with our study. The blood glucose level of female (n=25) and male (n=14) NOD/LtJ mice has been
measured every second week from six to 30-wks of age. Diabetes incidence will be analyzed statisticaly by life-table analysis. The
pancreata from female and male NOD/LtJ mice (n=3-4 mice/time point; 4-, 6-, 8-, and 12-wk of age time points) will be semi-quantitatively
analyzed for the insulitis. Pancreata will be removed, fixed, embeded in paraffin, cut, stained by hematoxylin-eosin and analyzed for the
level of insulitis.
Presentation Index: A56
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Department: Biological Sciences; Statistics
Project Sponsor(s):
Student Presenter(s): Olson, Marin; Johnson, Sara; Rajbhandari, Prince
Cetkovic-Cvrlje, Marina; Sather, Laura
St. Cloud State University Student Research Colloquium 33
April 22, 2008