Research Week Abstract Book - Northern Health

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