Abstract
The aim of the Galway speech and language therapy (SLT) department is to provide an efficient, effective, quality service for all client groups. In pursuance of this goal, a care pathway was designed for young children with dysfluency using Evidence-Based Practice (EBP). The Government Health Strategy (2001) aims to provide consumer-orientated services that achieve optimum benefits for the clients, the main principles being equity, people-centeredness, quality and accountability. It was decided to use an EBP model to review the intervention being used with young dysfluent children. The need for review was highlighted when members of staff received training to use the Lidcombe approach (see Onslow, Menzies & Packman, 2001) as a direct intervention model with young dysfluent preschool children. This challenged the established departmental approach of indirect treatment of young dysfluent children through parent group training. This paper discusses the key elements involved in using EBP in a speech and language therapy clinic. These include: (1) Examining current knowledge and research; (2) Auditing current practice; (3) Implementing quality improvements standards and (4) Optimising expert experience available within the SLT department.
The paper will also describe how the care pathway has been changed and is now delivered in practice and how it is proving to be effective, efficient and qualitative.