JCPSLP Vol 22 No 1 2020

Expanding possibilities: Foci on reading and interdisciplinary practices

What value can allied health assistants bring to speech-language pathology practice? Rachael O’Brien, Rebecca Mitchell and Nicole Byrne

This discussion paper considers the role of allied health assistants (AHAs) in speech- language pathology and provides information regarding the training, role and value that they may bring to the profession. As part of a larger research study into speech-language pathologists’ perceptions of working with allied health assistants, a review of the literature was undertaken utilising the search terms assistant , allied health assistant , speech-language pathology/ist , speech therapy/ist . Only a small number of papers were found directly addressing allied health assistants in speech-language pathology, raising concern regarding the profession’s existing knowledge of working with this vocational group. A narrative summary of findings is presented. Greater understanding of the allied health assistant workforce, including training, skills and tasks they can undertake, is required to ensure the speech- language pathology profession is prepared to work with allied health assistants, and to utilise them effectively. Working with allied health assistants is a workforce strategy which may assist the profession to provide a broader range of services to those who need it. However, relatively little is known about allied health assistants in Australian speech- language pathology, and the value they can bring to speech-language pathology practice. This paper explores current perceptions and barriers to utilising allied health assistants in speech-language pathology, and proposes some possible solutions. I n order to meet the increasing demand for speech- language pathology services, profound changes to the profession must be considered (Wylie et al., 2013), particularly in organisations where an increase in the numbers of SLPs is not able to be implemented. The employment and utilisation of allied health assistants (AHAs)

has been implemented in the profession in some states of Australia (but not in others) as a workforce strategy to enhance efficiency to meet community need in an equitable and sustainable manner (O’Brien, Mitchell, & Byrne, 2018). Working in the traditional 1:1 service delivery model is not a financially viable option if speech-language pathology services are going to be equitably provided in future (O’Brien et al., 2013). Effective workforce planning is now focusing on skills required to meet consumer need rather than increasing numbers of specific professionals, which can be achieved by increasing the skill mix available in the health workforce (Duckett & Willcox, 2015). Mismatch in skill mix will result in a lack of adequate care for the community, particularly those in vulnerable populations including the elderly, those with chronic conditions or mental illness, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2018). The community may be denied access to services due to workforce shortages, particularly in rural areas, when tasks may be safely provided by a health worker other than the professionals who traditionally perform them. Somerville and colleagues (2015) conducted a study which identified that speech-language pathology recorded a high percentage of time which could be appropriately delegated to an AHA. This indicates potential for improved efficacy of services through the effective utilisation of such a workforce. This paper explores current perceptions and barriers to utilising AHAs in speech-language pathology and proposes some possible solutions. We argue that AHAs have a valuable role to play in speech-language pathology service delivery in Australia and can value-add in numerous ways. As such, we will describe what is known about AHA training and demographics and outline the role of AHAs working with SLPs including the tasks which remain the sole responsibility of SLPs which are not to be delegated. We will describe what is known about AHAs in speech-language pathology and the preparedness of the profession to more widespread utilisation of AHAs. Finally, we highlight the need for more information about the introduction of AHAs into speech-language pathology, and for the profession to consider greater inclusivity of this workforce into our professional association to maximise the effectiveness of speech-language pathology services Australia wide. What is an allied health assistant? An AHA is someone whose role it is to support the work of allied health professionals (AHPs). People in these roles are

THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN PEER- REVIEWED KEYWORDS ALLIED HEALTH ASSISTANTS SPEECH- LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY WORKFORCE REDESIGN

Rachael O’Brien (top), Rebecca Mitchell (centre) and Nicole Byrne

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JCPSLP Volume 22, Number 1 2020

www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au