JCPSLP Vol 16 Issue 1 2014

Translating research into practice

From the editors Anna Copley and Jane McCormack

Contents

1 From the editors

2 Carer experiences with

rehabilitation in the home: Speech pathology services for stroke survivors – Katy Stewart,

Natalie Ciccone and Elizabeth Armstrong

7 Speech pathology clinical practice in sub-acute brain injury rehabilitation – Kerrin

Watter, Paula Addis, Anna Copley and Emma Finch

F or many years, clinicians and researchers alike have noted a gap between research about speech pathology, and the practice of speech pathology. Both groups have identified factors contributing to this gap and barriers impacting on the profession’s capacity to narrow the gap. Time, relevance and utility of research findings are often cited as significant issues. In recent times, the expansion of the definition of evidence-based practice to incorporate clinical experience and expertise could be considered an attempt to demonstrate the value of both empirical research and practice knowledge and skills in delivering the best care to our clients. Further attempts to narrow the gap include a new focus on translational research, practice-based research, and knowledge transfer and exchange. This issue of JCPSLP is focused on such research, and includes papers that define the principles underlying practice-based research, and studies that applied these principles. In their clinical insights paper, Brown and colleagues overview the current state of speech pathology research in Australia and discuss the value of practice-driven research in improving the quality of care for individuals with communication and swallowing conditions. They provide case studies of a researcher and a clinician who have engaged in practice-based research and highlight the advantages of this approach. Another clinical insights paper from Crowe and McLeod presents findings from a series of studies investigating communication choices of families raising children with hearing loss in Australia. They synthesise the findings of these studies in a way that makes them more accessible for clinicians, which is an important feature of research that aims to guide and inform clinical practice. Thomas and colleagues, in the third clinical insights paper, reflect on the establishment of a National Health and Medical Research Centre for Clinical Research Excellence in Aphasia Rehabilitation which aims to increase the aphasia research evidence base while facilitating the translation of best available evidence into practice. This centre, in collaboration with clinicians and consumers, is developing the Australian Aphasia Rehabilitation Pathway which aims to improve the outcomes for people with aphasia as well as their families. Research papers in this issue also relate to the theme of practice-based research. Watter and colleagues present the results of a study investigating the practices of speech pathologists working in brain injury rehabilitation units across Australia. As the first speech pathology research in such a setting, it contributes to the evidence base, identifies gaps in knowledge and directs future research in the field. Stewart and colleagues used practice- based research to explore the roles, experiences and preferences of carers involved in speech pathology rehabilitation services in the home. Regular columns also focus on the theme of practice-based research. In the “What’s the evidence?” column, Power describes knowledge transfer and exchange (KTE), which is an approach to creating and using research in which both clinicians and researchers have a key role. She examines the effectiveness of KTE interventions for rehabilitation settings and suggests a need to utilise this model to inform and ensure best practice for clients. Other columns include: the “Top 10 resources” used to translate research into practice in a paediatric community health service, “Ethical conversations” identifying a framework for knowledge translation to support responsible and ethical clinical practice, “Webwords”, Resource reviews and Around the journals. We hope you enjoy this issue.

14 The changing face of clinical research – Kyla Brown, Anne J Hill, Anna Copley, Miranda Rose and Bena Cartmill Translating research to practice for professionals working with children with hearing loss – Kathryn Crowe and Sharynne McLeod 24 The effectiveness of knowledge transfer and exchange interventions for implementing rehabilitation evidence into clinical practice – Emma Power improving aphasia services: Application of a knowledge transfer and exchange framework – Emma Thomas, Emma Power, Linda Worrall, Miranda Rose, Leanne Togher, and Alison Ferguson 37 Responsible and ethical clinical practice: A framework for knowledge translation – Belinda Kenny and Susan Block 19 Communication choices: 30 A national approach to

41 Webwords 48: Clinical and

translational research – Caroline Bowen

43 Translating research into practice top 10 resources – Amy Rynsent

45 Around the journals

48 Resource reviews

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JCPSLP Volume 16, Number 1 2014

www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au