The use of a paediatric speech and language therapy outcome measurement scale

This research aimed to evaluate the inter- and intra-rater reliability of a locally developed paediatric speech and language therapy (SLT) outcome measure, the NBOM (Northern Birmingham Outcome Measures), immediately after 15 speech and language therapists (SLTs) had taken part in training then after a period of time. It was found that SLTs who had received more than the basic orientation training achieved a higher level of reliability than those who had not but after 5 months training effects were fading. It seems that as well as requiring training and practice on the scales, SLTs also needed increased scaling definition, protocols and anchor stimuli to help with the interpretation of information and the assigning of rating points. Finally, scales were apparently used more reliably within an 'overt' rating session than in everyday clinical settings.