Clinicians' perspectives and experiences on using consistent terminology in speech-language pathology: A qualitative...

In the local context, clinicians in speech-language pathology had completed a knowledge translation training aimed at promoting consistent terminology for labelling school-aged children speech, language, and communication disorders. Quantitative data found that despite high intentions to use clinical labels, actual implementation was limited.

The current study seeks to explore clinicians' views and perspectives on the factors that affected the uptake of using consistent terminology in practice, especially when communicating with families and caregivers. An online qualitative survey was used to collect qualitative data from clinicians (n = 97) after they implemented the recommended clinical labels in practice for a three-month pilot period in the publicly funded school-aged program.

Results demonstrated that supports for using labels included improved communication with colleagues and families, positive family experience, clinician knowledge and confidence, as well as having access to ongoing supports and resources to support practice change. Barriers included differing opinions on labels, scope of practice, time and resource constraints for communicating labels, service structure, lack of clinician knowledge and confidence, family readiness, and limited opportunities for practice.

While clinicians recognized the advantages of using consistent terminology, systematic change might be needed to effect practice change. Implementation strategies such as ongoing education and training to support clinicians' knowledge and confidence, understanding family's needs, and ensuring compatibility with service structure and policy would be important considerations to successfully enact practice change.