'Thinking for two': A case study of speech and language therapists working through assistants

Abstract

Background: Many speech and language therapists (SLTs) in the UK work with speech and language therapy assistants, and the numbers of SLT assistants is expected to grow. There has been very little empirical investigation of how SLTs feel about this situation or the effect on working practices of working indirectly. Aims: To investigate SLTs' opinions on working with SLT assistants in a small-scale research case study. Methods & Procedures: The study design was a case study of five SLTs delivering intervention within a research intervention project. Prepared questionnaire and formal interview techniques were used to elicit opinions on working through assistants, and a content analysis was performed. Outcomes & Results: Although respondents could see value in working through assistants, they stressed the time required to do so and the difficulties of adapting and updating therapy plans when working indirectly. Conclusions: The study suggests a variety of factors that have to be carefully managed if SLTs are to work competently through assistants.