ASHA Strategic Plan

Issue A

First Quarter Progress Report (January-March, 2006)

ISSUE A: A high quality basic, applied, and efficacy research base in communication sciences and disorders, related fields of study, and related functions for the discipline and professions is essential to provide evidence-based clinical practice and quality clinical services.

1^st Quarter Highlights

• The National Center for Evidence-Based Practice has made presentations related to evidence-based practice at meetings in nine states: Arizona, Connecticut, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota, and South Carolina.
• The Advisory Committee on Evidence-Based Practice has held conference calls to discuss issues related to their charge to identify/develop information for members related to evidence-based practice.
• Action has been taken to influence the work plans for the new NIDCD Translational Research Branch to secure funding for high priority research needs on communication sciences and disorders.
• Information from systematic reviews was used to prepare professional practice guidelines in autism. N-CEP evaluated the guidelines using the Appraisal of Guidelines Research and Evaluation (AGREE) criteria. The autism guidelines were rated as "highly recommended."
• A Web based forum project to connect researchers and clinicians interested in conducting collaborative research projects in the planning stages. It is being planned in collaboration with the University of Pittsburgh and the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.
• An ASHA Web site with a searchable compedium of systemic reviews has been established.
• N-CEP and the Advisory Committee on Evidence-Based Practice have initiated a pilot study of the methodology for conducting evidence-based systemic reviews developed by N-CEP on the frequency and intensity of aphasia.
• Staff participated in the Campbell Colloquium on evidence-based practice.

There are 14 strategies in the work plan for Issue A. Following is the status for the 1^st quarter.

NOTE:  View the progress reports for the ASHA Focused Initiative on Evidenced-Based Practice for additional information about ASHA initiated activities related to Issue A.