JCPSLP Vol 20 No 3 November 2018

Ethical decision-making guide

Should I use this therapy approach?

What do I know?

What do I need to know?

Applicability

Why am I considering this approach?

What does this therapy approach aim to do? Does it have stated objectives or goals? Does this therapy approach apply to my client/ client group? (i.e., Has the therapy approach been used with similar clients?)

Evidence

Has this therapy approach been evaluated?

Where can I direct my clients/families if they want more information?

Who carried out the evaluation? Who funded the evaluation?

Have the results been published?

Is the information/data on the program’s website or promotional materials? Is the information/data in a journal? And if so, is the journal/article peer reviewed? How strong is the research design? How confident can I be in the research study? How strong is the level of evidence (at this stage)? Is the therapy approach consistent with usual speech-language pathology practice? Are other speech pathologists using this approach? Is there a theoretical rationale underlying the approach? Does this support an explanation as to why it should work? Do I need to be trained to use this approach? Who by? Is any cost reasonable and justifiable? Are there any risks to my client if I implement it? Are there any opportunity costs for my client? What do I need to think about when talking to clients/parents, about this therapy approach? Validity Ethical practice

Making the decision: Clinical, professional and ethical practice

Will this therapy approach benefit my clients? Would it be considered it ethical to use it?

What alternatives are available?

What data should I collect to provide evidence that the approach is working for my client? On balance, should I adopt this approach? What is the clinical bottom line?

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JCPSLP Volume 20, Number 3 2018

Journal of Clinical Practice in Speech-Language Pathology