Knowledge+&+Skills


 * Knowledge & Skills **

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(5:b)

According to the Competency-Based Occupational Standards (CBOS) for Speech Language Therapists, assessment involves many aspects which are outlined in further detail below according the units and elements (CBOS, 2001, p.1-8).


 * Unit 1 **
 * Assessment **

In assessment, the speech pathologist establishes the communication and/or swallowing condition and issues of the client.

The SLT must take into consideration all factors relevant to the client such as: the client’s significant others, the speech pathology service provider and its context for practice, team colleagues and professional networks,referral sources, the relevant legislation e.g. anti-discrimination, occupational health and safety, privacy and freedom of information.

As far as possible, the SLT must involve the client in any decision making processes.


 * Unit 2 **
 * Analysis and Interpretation **

The interpretation and analysis of clients' communication and/or swallowing issues must demonstrate current clinical reasoning approaches and relevant evidence based analysis. Causal and maintenance factors related to the communication and/or swallowing issues must be identified for diagnosis and projected outcomes.

All current assessment methodologies must be used in an exact and professional manner to identify gaps in the information of the communication and swallowing condition of the client.

The client must be involved in the decision making process and in the planning and formulation of the strategies concerning the communication and/or swallowing issues.

See the Competency-Based Occupational Standards (CBOS) for Speech Pathologists – Entry Level, at the Australia Speech Hearing Association website for a complete copy of standards.

[|CBOS]

The clinician will ultimately need to determine the safety of oral vs. alternative feeding and regular fluids vs. thickened fluids (Groher & Crary, 2010). This decision should be based on the findings of clinical and instrumental assessment, prognostic factors such as the stage of cancer, the client and the families' wishes, culture and religion, the client's current medical state, and quality of life.

The importance of making an informed decision cannot be overstated as the implications could be as serious as aspiration pneumonia (Groher & Crary, 2010).

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