Speak Out OCTOBER 2021 DIGITAL EDITION

Association NEWS

The Association supports the preparation of a suite of practice documents to reflect the current best available evidence and recommendations relevant to speech pathology practice. These documents include core Association documents, position statements and practice guidelines. Core Association documents include the Code of Ethics , Professional Standards for Speech Pathologists in Australia , Evidence-Base Practice for Speech Pathology in Australia , Scope of Practice and Parameters of Practice . A position statement summarises the key evidence and position of Speech Pathology Australia on a particular topic, workplace or service delivery issue that may or may not be specific to a communication or swallowing need. Examples of current Association position statements can be found on the Association website . A practice guideline provides current best evidence and best-practice guidelines and statements that include recommendations intended to optimise an individual’s care and the delivery of speech pathology services. Examples of current Association practice guidelines can be found on the Association website . The revised process To strengthen the process for development of future Association practice documents, several new initiatives have been introduced. Feedback will now be sought from Association members prior to the finalisation of practice documents, and the involvement of independent reviewers, external stakeholders and consumers will be sought where appropriate. To align with the terminology and focus of the Professional Standards (2020) which recognise contemporary speech pathology practice as diverse and extending beyond clinical practice, future practice documents that might be considered clinical guidelines will now be known as practice guidelines. Members are advised that the name of current practice documents titled clinical guidelines, will not be changed. For further information about these changes, please contact Senior Advisor Professional Standards Marie Atherton matherton@speechpathologyaustralia.org. au New process to revise Association documents

Practice documents currently under development The following documents are currently under development, with expected completion dates of 2021 to early 2022: • Tracheostomy – revised practice guideline . • Evidence Based Speech Pathology Practice for Individuals with Autism – revised practice guideline and position statement • Speech Pathology in Education – revised practice guideline and position statement • Working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People – new practice guideline • Dysphagia – revised practice guideline • Telepractice in Speech Pathology – revised practice guideline and position statement • Working in a Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Society – revised practice guideline and position statement • Laryngectomy – revised practice guideline. For development in 2022 • Response to Racism and Discrimination – position statement • Complex Communication Needs – practice guideline. Member feedback on future SPA practice documents To support the development of practice documents that meet the needs of speech pathologists in Australia, members are invited to complete a short survey seeking feedback about specific areas/topics within speech pathology practice that they would like developed into a practice document. This may be a new practice document or a revision of an existing document. Findings of the survey will inform planning of document development in 2022. The survey closing date is Monday 15 November 2021. Release of new practice document The Informed Choice and Shared Decision Making with People who Eat and Drink with Acknowledged Risk practice guideline is now available. This guideline compliments the Association’s position statement of the same name, developed in 2019. The guideline has been developed by a specialised working party comprising members working across different sectors of speech pathology practice, and is informed by current best evidence, other relevant practice guidelines, and consensus and legal opinion.

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October 2021 | Speak Out