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Issues/Outcomes for the ASHA Strategic Plan
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.
Outcomes 2005–2007
- Increased knowledge of the availability and use of treatment efficacy research and evidence-based practices to provide clinical services in communication sciences and disorders in the United States.
- Increased funding for basic/applied/efficacy/evidence-based research.
- Increased applied/efficacy research and evidence-based clinical practice in all areas of communication sciences and disorders, including literacy, communication wellness, and prevention.
- Increased interaction and communication with researchers in communication sciences and disorders from other countries.
Issue B: A critical shortage and continuing attrition of doctoral-level faculty in higher education is affecting the preparation of professionals as well as the conduct of research in communication sciences and disorders.
Outcomes 2005–2007
- Increased number of potential doctoral-level faculty/researchers in personnel preparation programs to fill short- and long-term faculty vacancies in communication sciences and disorders.
- Increased number of students recruited into the professions who continue their education to become faculty/researchers.
- Increased retention of doctoral-level faculty.
- Increased funding for doctoral program fellowships.
Issue C: A comprehensive scope of practice that includes all of the major components and new areas of practice in communication sciences and disorders enhances the visibility of the professions by consumers and stakeholders and their perceived value of the role of audiologists and speech-language pathologists.
Outcomes 2005–2007
- Revised ASHA scope of practice that includes all major component areas of communication sciences and disorders and new areas of practice.
- Increased number of practitioners who are involved in such areas as literacy, wellness, prevention, and other underserved areas of practice.
- Increased advocacy for and use of public and private reimbursement systems that enhance the ability of consumers to receive quality programs and services in all education and health practice settings.
- Increased perceived value by consumers, stakeholders, and colleagues in related professions of the services provided by audiologists and speech-language pathologists.
- Increased knowledge of the scope of practice in communication sciences and disorders in other countries.
Issue D: Rapid increase in the knowledge and skill sets needed to provide quality professional services in a culturally competent manner across various practice settings will lead to specialization areas of clinical practice related to communication sciences and disorders.
Outcomes 2005–2007
- Increased awareness and knowledge by ASHA members of how linguistic and cultural differences (e.g., religion, disability, sexual orientation, age, second language learners) impact on research, service delivery, administration, and professional education in the United States.
- Increased number of knowledge and skill sets in the major component areas of communication sciences and disorders.
- Identification of the specialization areas in communication sciences and disorders.
- Increased number of opportunities for clinical specialization in communication sciences and disorders.
- Increased awareness of the knowledge and skill sets related to communication sciences and disorders used in other countries to determine how their identified and verified practice patterns and skill sets can be used to enhance the ASHA knowledge base and skill sets to improve services to members and consumers.
Issue E: Increased international exchange of professional knowledge, information, and education related to ethics, clinical practice, and supervision/clinical education in communication sciences and disorders will require a variety of dissemination, communication, educational, and professional practice delivery systems.
Outcomes 2005–2007
- Increased awareness by ASHA members of the Association's value-added programs, services, and resources available to assist them in serving clients.
- Increased use of telehealth/telepractices to provide clinical services within the United States.
- Increased interchange of professional knowledge and information among communication sciences and disorders professionals from different nations.
- Increased knowledge of the systems available to provide education, clinical practices, and supervision related to communication sciences and disorders worldwide.
- Determined the feasibility of holding an ASHA initiated joint international conference on communication sciences and disorders outside of the United States.
Issue F: The expectation that people of all nations worldwide will have access to quality, culturally competent speech-language pathology and audiology programs and services to achieve optimum communication abilities across their lifespan, requires encouraging mutual international collaboration efforts to set standards for registration/credentialing for experts in communication sciences and disorders worldwide while respecting each nation's models of education and professional practice.
Outcomes 2005–2007
- Increased recognition and adoption of ASHA credential and accreditation standards within the United States.
- Increased understanding of registration/credential standards and their recognition among the United States/United Kingdom/Australia/Canada.
- Increased knowledge of the educational and registration/credential standards in other countries.
Issue G: Understanding and recognition of cultural, linguistic, and political differences worldwide will facilitate ASHA's ability to work collaboratively with other international associations.
Outcomes 2005–2007
- Increased awareness of the cultural, linguistic, and political differences that impact on the delivery of services for those with communication disorders worldwide.
- Increased understanding of the impact that languages and culture (religion, customs, mores, different educational systems) of other countries have on international collaboration efforts.
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