JCPSLP Vol 23 Issue 2 2021

Implementation science

Launching a collective clinical research resource for a local speech-language pathology team Sophie Chalmers

Speech-language pathologists are increasingly aware of the importance of evidence-based practice; however, there is an abundance of research highlighting the barriers particularly in relation to access of research resources within the workplace and managing the volume of literature produced. This service development project describes the creation of an electronic research resource, coined the “Collective Clinical Research Resource”, addressing the specific needs of a local speech-pathology team. Early informal evaluation of the resource suggests that the program has started to promote and facilitate a collaborative approach to accessing and appraising evidence, and shows promise in enabling clinicians to quickly and efficiently access research evidence across a range of areas of practice. Future iterations of the resource should be formally evaluated and incorporate clinician feedback to maximise usability, develop a shared team responsibility of the resource, and promote implementation of research findings into practice. E vidence-based practice (EBP) is the incorporation of current best available evidence, clinical expertise, and service user preferences and values, and is pertinent to advancing clinical practice (Stephens et al., 2012). Sacket et al. (1996) explain that the EBP model necessitates clinicians to be able to critically appraise the research and implement findings into practice to provide best patient care (Sackett et al., 1996). A critical element within the process of EBP is the ability to access recent research and literature within the workplace (Zipoli & Kennedy, 2005). The barriers of implementation and knowledge mobilisation, which result in the difficulty for clinicians to sufficiently implement EBP within their daily practice, has been well documented (Stephens et al., 2012). Such barriers include lack of time, resources, skills in accessing, understanding, and appraising research, and managing

the volume of research evidence produced (Grimshaw et al., 2012; Stephens et al., 2012 Wenke et al., 2017;). Some of these barriers can be addressed with programs and tools which aim to promote access and dissemination of the evidence, and which are implemented within a health care system. Such programs can go some way to support knowledge mobilisation (Grimshaw et al., 2012). Innovative developments of electronic research resources can also promote the dissemination of research evidence, sharing of research, collaboration, and discussion (Joffe & Pagnamenta, 2014). There are several international examples of existing online resources which act as research and evidence repositories to support decision-making in SLP practice. For example, “speechBITE” is a database of critically appraised SLP intervention studies launched by the University of Sydney SLPs who wanted easier access and better appraisal of research evidence. “What Works” is another online library of evidenced and up-to-date interventions for paediatric teachers and SLPs, allowing users to search for evidence by target group, age, intervention focus, and delivery type. The database is moderated by representatives from the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) and the Communication Trust UK. The American Speech- Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) “Evidence Maps” are searchable online tools synthesising the latest research, clinical expertise, and client perspectives on a variety of areas of practice. “The Informed SLP” resource searches databases and journals, and identifies clinically useful articles, and describes how to use the evidence in practice in their monthly summaries. The “NSW Speech Pathology EBP Network” aims to facilitate EBP for SLPs in NSW, Australia, within a shared collaborative forum, to share responsibility for collecting and co-operatively evaluating the evidence base which is organised into different clinical areas. The local SLP team, referred to in this project, is an integrated acute and community adult SLP team, consisting of approximately 20 SLPs practising across a wide and diverse range of clinical areas, including but not limited to: dysphagia, communication, augmentative and alternative communication, dysphonia, acute, community and outpatient stroke, head and neck cancer, community neuro rehabilitation, respiratory, and, critical care settings. Historically, the SLP team developed a quarterly research round-up newsletter, shared via a Microsoft Word document saved in a shared computer drive, which consisted of a collection of recently published articles

KEYWORDS EVIDENCE- BASED

THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN PEER- REVIEWED PRACTICE RESEARCH ENGAGEMENT IMPLEMENTATION

Sophie Chalmers

65

JCPSLP Volume 23, Number 2 2021

www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au