Recommendations From Health Care Group

Barriers to Having an Adequate Supply of Qualified Providers

Not marketed to attract men
Students don't have access to info about careers in SLP or Audiology--
Limited general knowledge about the professions
Difficulty getting placements in health care
University supervisors not aggressively seeking placements, particularly in the VA
Lack of strong coordination between univ supervisors and practicum placements
Health care is not recruiting effectively—CE courses or CE allowance may be stronger incentive than sign-on bonus
Rural and urban locations don't attract applicants
Salaries, benefits inadequate (membership and licensure not covered)
Insufficient allocation of time for administrative tasks
Isolation – lack of networks among h/c facilities, clinicians
Lack of career advancement
Health care facilities are autonomous, don't work together
No national health care dept, like Dept of Ed
Lack of clinical ladders
Lack of respect for allied health, particularly in acute care
Reimbursement model in health care leaves little margin for recruiting, benefits
- Note: need to advocate for independent billing status
Generalist training is a deterrent to those who wish to specialize in dysphagia, voice, etc. (Note: Practicum sites can have their own requirements)

Solutions to These Barriers

Scholar lecture series (Ground Rounds, CEU's) to recruit SLPs from community
Provide training on becoming a clinical supervisor to encourage more sites to take students
Teach respect for the profession – dress code; use of appropriate terminology (not "speech therapy"); act like a professional; offer a professional issues class
Open up communication w/physicians, nurses: what are their expectations, what SLP's can offer
Increase public awareness of profession, enhance visibility, media, web sites (e.g. Google)
- Listen to your Buds campaign
Develop hospital career web page – should be easily accessible for people looking for information or to visit the facility
Men should be a minority focus
- Emphasize medical focus to attract men
- Encourage role model/spokesperson to tell other men about the profession
- Increase awareness of technology aspect of profession
- Review why men used to pursue speech and are no longer doing so
- Men create opportunities for career growth, administration
Create specialist/certificate programs
Recruit from high schools and from other disciplines
Engage in promoting "therapy" jointly with PT, and OT (Tri-alliance model) at high schools
- In some settings, separate identity for SLP/AUD is valuable
Advocate for independent billing status
Paired focus practica (e.g., part time adult and pediatric setting)
More flexibility in internships
Career ladders
Combined job – school/healthcare

Probable Partners to Collaborate With in Solving Personnel Shortages

Goals and Immediate Next Steps for Addressing Personnel Shortages

Be more involved in high school presentations
Male SLPs will go to all-boys high schools to give career awareness presentations
Partner with recovered patients for marketing in media (consumer driven campaign) e.g., National Aphasia Assoc.
Develop volunteer/service learning opportunities in health care for students
Make contact with universities to develop smaller-focused or part-time practicum