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In the August 3 Leader there is a major article by Mendel, Mendel, and Battle with references to the decreased number of PhD level SLPs and audiologists. One need look no further than the article's explanation of standard academic pathways and requirements to find reasons for this situation.
In my view, there are two factors here: 1) Fewer people are willing to go through the extensive process described; 2) People on the way up have failed to heed Jerger's warning (Jerger, J. (1963) Viewpoint: Who Should Do Research? Journal of Speech and Hearing Research. 6, 301) that "anyone with a free afternoon, some students to do the work, and a grant, feels they can do research….this attitude has produced a lot of third rate research."
Another point. None of the three vital types of work can be "taught" in the usual sense of the word. The best clinicians are those who have a good understanding of how the communicative abilities work. The best teachers are those with an inherent capacity to organize and good acting skills. The best researchers have an insatiable curiosity and can't stop asking questions. Seldom do we encounter a person with all these magical abilities.
The best training method might be the ancient apprentice situation. The CFY comes fairly close but it is unlikely to turn out an individual who can treat patients, teach, and do research with equal ability, which the article seems to suggest is what the market wants.
Lowell Judson Farmer, Jr.
Jackson, MS
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