JCPSLP Vol 14 No 1 2012

Professional issues

speechBITE Answering the need for better access to evidence

L ooking for treatment research but don’t know where to start? Many busy clinicians don’t have time to spend hours navigating a multitude of different databases to find published research. Evaluating the scientific quality of research can be another hurdle for clinicians who are looking for the best evidence to improve client outcomes. The good news is that speech pathologists now have a free, online database designed specifically to address their needs: speechBITE. speechBITE is used by clinicians in more than 100 countries worldwide. Are you using speechBITE yet? What is speechBITE? The Speech Pathology Database for Best Interventions and Treatment Efficacy, known as speechBITE, is an internet resource designed to assist speech pathologists in evidence based clinical decision-making. speechBITE is a searchable catalogue of peer-reviewed published research on treatment across the entire scope of speech pathology practice. speechBITE provides the citations and, where possible, the abstracts for these references. Articles listed on speechBITE are sourced from an extensive search across multiple electronic databases including MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and CINAHL. Included in the database are systematic reviews, randomised controlled trials, non-randomised controlled trials, case series, and single case experimental designs. To ensure the speechBITE database includes the most relevant empirical research for the speech pathology profession, all references are pre-screened according to the following criteria: (a) published in a peer-reviewed journal, (b) includes an intervention relevant to speech pathology practice, (c) includes participants with (or at risk of) a communication and/or swallowing disorder, and (d) provides empirical data on treatment efficacy. Currently speechBITE has more than 3000 references across all levels of evidence. The speechBITE database will continue to grow as new references are added on a regular basis. speechBITE is rapidly becoming a key evidence-based-practice resource for speech pathologists worldwide. Since the launch in 2008, the number of searches on speechBITE has increased by 200%. How do I search speechBITE? Searching speechBITE is simple and fast. Go to the SEARCH page (http://www.speechbite.com/search.php) and enter a keyword, author, or journal to locate a treatment study in your area of interest. Or you can make a selection from the easy-to-use drop down menus to locate research according to the following areas: • target area (e.g., speech, language, voice) • intervention type (e.g., augmentative/alternative therapy, computer-based intervention) • service delivery (e.g., group, distance) • method (e.g., randomised controlled trial, case series, etc.) • client subgroup (e.g., traumatic brain injury, hearing impairment, intellectual disability) • age group (e.g., children, adolescents, adults) Click the ADD button to save the results you want to keep. Then you can EMAIL or PRINT the results.

Did you know? speechBITE… = FREE online database of treatment research = Covers the scope of speech pathology practice = More than 3000 articles from peer-reviewed journals

= Methodological ratings for many papers = Easy to search with drop down menus = No membership needed or login required = www.speechbite.com

Rating methodological quality Many of the treatment studies included in speechBITE have a methodological rating which allows clinicians to more easily identify the scientific quality of the research studies. Randomised and non-randomised controlled trials receive a rating out of 10 using the PEDro-P scale. The PEDro-P scale is derived from the PEDro scale which has been shown to be reliable in physiotherapy (Maher, Sherrington, Herbert, Moseley, & Elkins, 2003). At present, ratings for 670 randomised and non-randomised controlled trials are available on speechBITE. More recently speechBITE has begun rating the methodological quality of single case experimental designs using the 12-point RoBiN-T scale (Tate, McDonald, Percides, Togher, Schultz, & Savage, 2008). Ratings on both the PEDro-P scale and RoBiN-T scale are completed by at least two independent speech pathologists who have undergone training and assessment. Who is responsible for speechBITE? speechBITE is an evidence based practice initiative between Speech Pathology Australia and The University of Sydney under the leadership of Associate Professor Leanne Togher. speechBITE gratefully acknowledges funding support from The Motor Accidents Authority of NSW, Speech Pathology Australia, and other sponsors. For more information Visit the website at www.speechbite.com or follow us on twitter at www.twitter.com/speechBITE. For more information contact the speechBITE Project Manager Kate Smith at info@speechbite.com. References Maher, C. G., Sherrington, C., Herbert, R. D., Moseley, A. M., & Elkins, M. (2003). Reliability of the PEDro scale for rating quality of randomized controlled trials. Physical Therapy , 83 , 713–721. Tate, R., McDonald, S., Perdices, M., Togher, L., Schultz, R., & Savage, S. (2008). Rating the methodological quality of single-subject designs and n-of-1 trials: Introducing the Single-Case Experimental Design(SCED) Scale. Neuropsychological Rehabilitation , 18 , 385–401.

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JCPSLP Volume 14, Number 1 2012

www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au