ASHA Focused Initiatives

Evidence-Based Practice

First Quarter Progress Report
January-March 2007

For each of the 2007 Focused Initiatives, a work plan that includes the strategies to be completed in 2007 was developed. During the 1^st quarter of the year, the strategy implementation teams initiated activities necessary to complete the strategies by the dates indicated. View the 2007 work plan for each Focused Initiative.

The following report highlights some of the actions that were initiated during the 1^st quarter and includes information on the status of all strategies included in the work plan at the end of the 1^st quarter. For additional information related to ASHA's Focused Initiatives please contact Stan Dublinske, Senior Advisor for Planning at sdublinske@asha.org.

1st Quarter Highlights

• The National Center for Evidence-Based Practice (N-CEP) promoted the availability of evidence-based practice information via articles in The ASHA Leader, ASHA e-zines, and articles in several special interest division newsletters.
• N-CEP maintains a Web site that provides information related to evidence-based practice for ASHA members.
• N-CEP has initiated three Evidence-Based Systematic Reviews: frequency and intensity of aphasia therapy, efficacy of oral-motor exercises for swallowing; and the efficacy of oral-motor exercises for articulation. An ASHA Web site with a searchable registry of systemic reviews has been established.
• N-CEP maintains a Web Forum for connecting researchers and clinicians interested in collaborative research projects.
• N-CEP in collaboration with other ASHA units and ASHA committees and boards is developing an ASHA prioritized list of potential research topics in clinical areas for use in development of applications for funding of research.
• The Scientific and Professional Education Board (SPEB), as it develops ASHA's professional development/continuing education programs, considers the evidence base for clinical interventions that will be discussed as part of the programs.

There are 11 strategies in the Evidence-Based Practices work plan. Following is the status for the 1^st quarter.