Impact of COVID-19 on Digital Practice in UK Paediatric Speech and Language Therapy and Implications for the Future: A National Survey

Autor/inn/en	Patel, Rafiah; Loraine, Elena; Gréaux, Mélanie
Titel	Impact of COVID-19 on Digital Practice in UK Paediatric Speech and Language Therapy and Implications for the Future: A National Survey
Quelle	In: International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders, 57 (2022) 5, S.1112-1129 (18 Seiten) PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Zusatzinformation	ORCID (Patel, Rafiah) ORCID (Gréaux, Mélanie)
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	1368-2822
DOI	10.1111/1460-6984.12750
Schlagwörter	Foreign Countries; COVID-19; Pandemics; Speech Therapy; Pediatrics; Allied Health Personnel; Speech Language Pathology; Technology Integration; Attitudes; Blended Learning; Access to Computers; Videoconferencing; United Kingdom + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Ausland; Entwicklungsproximale Sprachtherapie; Logotherapie; Klinische Sozialpädiatrie; Attitude; Einstellung; Verhalten; Großbritannien
Abstract	Background: The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent measures to reduce transmission risk has led to unprecedented digital transformation across health, education and social care services. This includes UK paediatric speech and language therapy (SLT), which sits at the crossroads of these services. Given the rapid onset of this pandemic-induced digital transition, there is now a need to capture, reflect and learn from the SLT profession so that benefits can be sustained, and barriers addressed. Aims: To survey the impact of COVID-19 remote working on UK paediatric SLTs' digital views and experiences using the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation and Behaviour (COM-B) model. Methods & Procedures: An online survey was conducted from May to October 2020. Respondents were asked to rate their use of technology in service delivery before and during the pandemic, to select factors facilitating digital practice, and to provide open-response aspirations for the future role of technology in paediatric SLT which were analysed thematically using the COM-B behaviour change model. Outcomes & Results: A total of 424 UK paediatric SLTs responded to the survey. Findings indicate a marked increase in clinicians' perception of their frequency, convenience and confidence with digital practice during COVID-19 compared with before the pandemic. Respondents identified that specialist training (27%), funding for workplace devices (22%) and supportive leadership (19%) were most likely to facilitate sustained digital practice. Clinicians hoped for a blended approach going forward with technology enhancing existing best practice. Further prominent themes included digital accessibility for all and maintaining the increased opportunity for multidisciplinary working that videoconferencing has afforded. More service-specific aspirations were bespoke technological solutions as well as parents/carers being able to engage remotely with school-based provisions. Conclusions & Implication: During COVID-19, paediatric SLTs' recognition and acceptance of how technology can augment practice has accelerated, with particular value being placed on inclusivity, choice, training, resources, leadership and indication of effectiveness. These are important considerations to help guide the profession towards the long-term digital enhancement of SLT services. (As Provided).
Anmerkungen	Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2024/1/01