Getting in shape: lean cuisine for the '90s

The results of the 1991 Omnibus Survey suggest that members of ASHA exhibit a complex sensitivity to the economic environment. On the one hand, budget sizes for equipment and supplies have decreased, and professionals are working longer hours to provide needed services to clients/patients. On the other hand, employment within the professions of speech-language pathology and audiology remains strong. Clearly, even in times of fiscal uncertainty, few individuals want to forego or delay needed health care services. Data from the survey indicated that our professionals may be adapting their work patterns to meet society's needs, using less fiscal and human resources. Hopefully, the years ahead will bring about positive economic growth and the speech-language pathology and audiology professions will have profited from innovative solutions developed during these lean years to maintain high quality care on tight budgets.