The effect of speech-language pathology students on clinician time use and activity

Purpose: This prospective study investigated the impact of supervising students on public health speech-language pathologists’ (SLPs) time and patient activity levels in order to broaden evidence in the profession. Method: Thirty-four SLPs supervising students collected data profiling their time use and activity during the first, middle and penultimate placement week. They also collected data for a week when not supervising students. Pre- and post-placement surveys were used to supplement quantitative data with additional information such as clinician and student experience levels. Result: Overall clinical time (face-to-face and indirect) and the number of patients seen neither increased nor decreased during student placements. However, clinicians’ use of time altered across placement periods. For example, SLP time delivering clinical services decreased but time observing students providing clinical services increased as the placement progressed. Some differences in time spent in non-clinical activities (e.g. student teaching and SLP administration) were found. Comparing data from placements with varying supervision models or student competence level showed few significant differences in time use, activity or productivity. Conclusion: There was no significant difference in overall clinical time used, nor patient activity or productivity whether clinicians were supervising students or not. Further research is required within SLP services.