Research Week Abstract Book - Northern Health
Research Week Abstract Book - Northern Health
Research Week Abstract Book - Northern Health
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<strong>Health</strong> Service Evaluation<br />
ADVANCinG AHA’S CliniCAL PRACTICE IN SPeeCH PATHOLOGY: THE<br />
DEVELOPMENT OF AN AHA SPeeCH PATHOLOGY TRAINING PACKAGE.<br />
Beer E, Gochian T & Thomson E.<br />
Background<br />
The role of the Allied <strong>Health</strong> Assistant (AHA) is an emerging one and there are significant opportunities to expand the roles<br />
of AHA’s in health organisations (Department of <strong>Health</strong> 2010). The staff of the Speech Pathology Department at an outer<br />
metropolitan public health service are committed to expanding AHA’s clinical skills and knowledge in the area of Speech<br />
Pathology. AHA’s make a valuable contribution to patient care and with training and skill development for extended roles<br />
provides an opportunity to enhance this.<br />
Aim<br />
• To ensure a structured and consistent training program for AHA’s developing and maintaining skills in the areas of speech<br />
pathology<br />
• To update the training package in line with the best available evidence base<br />
Methodology<br />
AHA’s working within the SP department were invited to participate. Participants were asked to rate their knowledge and<br />
confidence pre-training and post training in core clinical areas of speech pathology: communication disorders, swallowing<br />
disorders, meal reviews, videofluoroscopy (VFSS) preparation, working with interpreters, hearing, oral hygiene and Alternative<br />
and Augmentative Communication devices on a 5-point Likert Scale (Very poor (1) – Very good (5).<br />
Results<br />
The median pre-training rating was 4 (good) for both confidence and knowledge in the core clinical areas of swallowing and<br />
communication; and 3 (average) for working with interpreters, meal review, hearing, oral hygiene and VFSS. On completion of<br />
the training, the median ratings for confidence and knowledge rose to 4 (good) to 5 (very good) in all the core clinical areas.<br />
Conclusion<br />
The Speech Pathology AHA Training Program was effective in providing AHA’s with the knowledge, skills and confidence<br />
necessary for performing speech pathology tasks directed by the treating speech pathologist.<br />
48<br />
<strong>Research</strong> <strong>Week</strong> <strong>Abstract</strong> <strong>Book</strong> <strong>Northern</strong> <strong>Health</strong> 2013