Enhancing Clinical Reasoning for Speech Sound Disorders: A Randomized Trial of Online Learning Modules

Area of Science:

• Speech-language pathology education
• Clinical reasoning development
• Speech sound disorders (SSD) assessment

Background:

• Clinical reasoning is a critical challenge in speech-language pathology education.
• Illness scripts aid in understanding reasoning processes for experienced clinicians.
• Existing education methods may not fully prepare students for clinical complexity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate two cloud-based, self-directed instructional modules for enhancing clinical reasoning in SSD assessment.
• To compare the effectiveness of diagnostic report viewing versus reasoning demonstration modules.
• To assess student engagement and cognitive reflection patterns.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial with 51 undergraduate students in Taiwan.
• Two video-based training modules: diagnostic report viewing (control) and reasoning demonstration (experimental).
• Evaluation using Script Concordance Test (SCT) and self-report questionnaires.

Main Results:

• Both modules significantly improved SCT scores from pre- to post-training.
• The experimental group showed significant within-group gains in diagnostic reasoning and total SCT scores.
• High engagement reported for both groups; experimental group showed trends towards deeper reflection.

Conclusions:

• Both instructional modules effectively improved clinical reasoning for SSD assessment.
• The reasoning demonstration module indicated additional benefits for reflective clinical reasoning.
• Cloud-based, self-directed modules offer a scalable instructional framework for speech-language pathology education.