Exploring Telepractice in Speech-Language Pathology: Equally Effective as In-Person Services?

The increasing demand for speech-language pathology services in schools has brought telepractice into the spotlight. A recent study titled Comparing in-Person and Telepractice Service Delivery for Spoken Language Production and Comprehension Using the National Outcomes Measurement System provides valuable insights into the efficacy of telepractice compared to traditional in-person services.

Key Findings from the Research

The study compared outcomes of telepractice and in-person interventions for elementary school children targeting spoken language production and comprehension. The researchers used the National Outcomes Measurement System (NOMS) to standardize and measure functional communication improvements. Key findings include:

• Minimal significant differences in median change scores between telepractice and in-person interventions.
• Telepractice demonstrated equivalent, and in some cases, slightly better outcomes for certain severity subgroups.
• Both modalities resulted in a median change of one functional level in the targeted communication areas.

Implications for Practitioners

These findings support the use of telepractice as a viable and effective service delivery method for speech-language pathology in schools. Practitioners can confidently implement telepractice, knowing that it can produce outcomes comparable to traditional in-person services. Here are some actionable steps for practitioners:

• Incorporate telepractice into service delivery models to increase access to therapy for underserved populations.
• Utilize standardized outcome measures like NOMS to track and compare the effectiveness of telepractice and in-person services.
• Engage in continuous professional development to stay updated on best practices and technological advancements in telepractice.

Encouraging Further Research

While this study provides robust evidence supporting telepractice, further research is necessary to explore its efficacy across different populations and communication disorders. Practitioners are encouraged to contribute to the growing body of research by:

• Participating in studies that compare telepractice and in-person outcomes.
• Collecting and sharing data on telepractice interventions to help build larger, more comprehensive datasets.
• Exploring the impact of telepractice on various demographic groups to ensure equitable service delivery.

To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Comparing in-Person and Telepractice Service Delivery for Spoken Language Production and Comprehension Using the National Outcomes Measurement System.