Bulletin

Issue: June 2004

Books

Better evidence for treating speech disorder

From treating stuttering in children to speech problems in elderly stroke victims, speech pathologists - if they are to practise efficiently and effectively - need a battery of information, or 'evidence', to support their practice.

To help ensure this evidence is as sound as possible and based on the latest research, Professor Sheena Reilly, Dr Jenni Oates, and Dr Jacinta Douglas from La Trobe University's School of Human Communication Sciences, have written one of the first text books that marries evidence-based practice with speech pathology.

The book introduces therapists and speech pathologists to the principles of evidence-based practice and guides them to the best available evidence for managing a range of communication, swallowing and speech disorders. The authors discuss the evidence, and highlight any shortcomings to generate discussion and debate within the speech pathology profession.

'Just as in other professions,' they say, 'there are many accepted practices in speech pathology that are not evidence-based. Our challenge is to identify these areas, develop sound studies that address the problems, and translate results from these studies into clinical practice.'

Apart from clinicians and researchers, the book is also aimed at speech pathology students and other health care professionals. Evidence-based Practice in Speech Pathology is published by Whurr, London.

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