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ERIC Number: EJ1463725
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025-Mar
Pages: 15
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1368-2822
EISSN: EISSN-1460-6984
Available Date: 2025-02-20
Telehealth and In-Person Placements: Same, Same, but Different. A Mixed Methods Investigation of Speech and Language Therapy Students' and Practice Educators' Experiences and Perceptions
International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders, v60 n2 e70009 2025
Background: Telehealth placements in speech and language therapy provide crucial opportunities for both learning and service delivery when clinicians, students and/or clients are separated by factors such as distance or illness. While the use of telehealth placements has increased in recent times, they remain a relatively underexplored phenomenon with limited information available about the perceptions and experiences of practice educators and students. Aims: The aim of this study was to explore experiences of telehealth-delivered speech and language therapy services and tele-supervision from the perspective of speech and language therapy students and practice educators. Methods and procedures: This study used a sequential exploratory mixed methods design with a questionnaire study followed by a series of focus groups with Australian speech and language therapy educators and speech pathology students. Different questionnaires were used with students (n = 56) and practice educators (n = 27); each explored perceptions of interaction, engagement and student learning via multiple-choice and open-ended questions. Multiple-choice answers were analysed descriptively; open-ended questions were analysed with qualitative content analysis. The results informed the focus group questions. Separate focus groups were held with students (n = 17) and practice educators (n = 20); each explored student learning and development as well as educator supervisory practices. Data were analysed inductively using thematic network analysis. Outcomes and results: Responses from both student and practice educator questionnaires indicated that students develop some different skills on telehealth placements compared to in-person placements and telehealth placements were more suitable for some students compared to others. We constructed 12 basic themes related to student and educator practices, student learning, client care, perceptions about telehealth, and location of educator and student. These were grouped into three organising themes: processes, perceptions, place. The organising themes were summarised into the overarching theme 'telehealth and in-person placements: same, same, but different'. Conclusions and implications: This study adds to the growing body of literature indicating that telehealth placements can meet student learning needs. It suggests that both educators and students need to learn new skills or adapt their current practices to engage in these placements. This paper includes recommendations for how to manage the different practices required by universities, educators and students to promote successful telehealth placements, particularly when the educator and student are not co-located.
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
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Australia
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: 1The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia; 2Faculty of Health, Southern Cross University, Bilinga, QLD, Australia; 3Western Sydney University, School of Health Sciences, Campbeltown, NSW, Australia