Evidence based practice in speech language pathology/audiology in India

Area of Science:

• Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology
• Health Services Research
• Evidence-Based Practice (EBP)

Background:

• Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) is understood by Indian Speech-Language Pathologists/Audiologists.
• Efforts are underway to integrate research evidence with clinical expertise and client context.
• Guidelines and publications aim to reduce non-standard practices in assessment and intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the challenges and obstacles in implementing Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) within the Indian subcontinent.
• To identify factors hindering the adoption of EBP in academic, research, and clinical settings in India.

Main Methods:

• This is an opinion article, presenting a review of the current landscape of EBP in India.
• It synthesizes expert perspectives on the implementation of EBP in speech-language pathology and audiology.

Main Results:

• While EBP is not a new concept, its implementation faces unique challenges in India.
• Key barriers include linguistic diversity, lack of standardized assessment tools across languages, financial limitations, and low literacy rates.
• Absence of specialized centers and monitoring mechanisms further impede EBP adoption.

Conclusions:

• Successful implementation of EBP in India requires addressing subcontinent-specific challenges.
• Overcoming these barriers is crucial for standardizing practices and improving client care in speech-language pathology and audiology.