SLT research project #SFinSLT

FIRST IMPRESSIONS:
The Client’s Experience of an Initial Speech and
Language Therapy Appointment where a
Solution Focused Approach was used.
A RESEARCH PROJECT BY THE SPEECH AND LANGUAGE THERAPY DEPARTMENT, CHO 6, DUBLIN SOUTH EAST
W H A T I S
A S O L U T
I O N
F O C U S E D A P P R O A C H ?
Q To see a person as being more than their problem
Q To look for resources rather than deficits
t
t
Q To explore possible and preferred futures
I E N T S S AY ?
W H A T D I D C L
What did the
clients like?
It was much more relaxed and much
more friendly (than I expected) (2;07)
She’s very… you know…
like any discussion between
two people (2;04)
She made it more flexible and
more natural to adapt to our
situation (4;09)
I felt really positive leaving and
kind of happy about that…
that was really good (4;12)
We seemed to be able to
talk the same language (2;12)
It was less of her ‘I’m the
expert you’re the eejit’ (2;09)
I’m definitely… more
engaged in the process and more
buying into it (4;16)
She was better at listening, it
seemed to me (2;12)
What did the clients not like (or not understand)?
Both occasions the speech
and language therapists was
looking for information from
me and not engaging with
my child at all. And I found
that quite disconcerting.
(4;06)
What else did the
clients talk about?
She was just listening and…
she didn’t say anything (3;12)
My role is to do what I’m told I
suppose really… (laughing) (4;12)
…they might forget that people are coming
with a certain amount of anxiety (4;21)
It was very important to understand
that it isn’t my fault (3;12)
Because it’s stressful
for the parents (3;15)
I found it quite hard to grasp what the
purpose was going to be and what the
outcome was going to be (4;11)
Q To explore what is already contributing to those futures
I M
Q To treat clients as the experts in all
P
C
L I
A
aspects of their lives
T I O
N
S
F O
Q We need to be explicit to clients about
what we are doing amd why we are doing it.
Q We need to balance the expert role between
client and clinician
Q We should continue with open questions.
These help clients to feel listened to.
Q We should consider speaking to parents
separately from children.
Q We should be aware of parents’ levels of
anxiety and possible guilt.
Q We should remember that some parents
don’t necessarily expect to have an
active role in the process.
P A R T I C I P A N T S
Q All clients/parents who attended for initial assessment
in April 2016 were invited. 6/61 agreed.
Q One person was excluded because they didn’t
understand what they were consenting to.
R
P
R
A
C
T I
C
E
Since the referral was
made, what changes
are you pleased to see
in your/your child’s
communication?
How has this
appointment been
useful to you?
What are your best
hopes from coming
to this appointment
today?
FIRST APPOINTMENT?
WHAT
What have you been doing
that has helped these
changes to happen?
O U R R E S E A R C H Q U E S T I O N
What is it like for clients to
participate in these
appointments?
QUESTIONS DO WE ASK AT THE
I N T E R V I E W S
Q Semi structured interviews were audio recorded. (Note – one did not record)
t
t
Q Data from three parents and one adult client were retained
Q Participants described the process of the appointment from their perspective
Q Thematic content analysis was conducted on these data
HOW DID WE GATHER DATA?
Reference:
George, Evan, Iveson, Chris, and Ratner, Harvey (2011). BRIEFER –
A Solution Focused Manual
Speech and Language Therapy Team.
CHO 6, Dublin South East
Contact: aoife.mhicmhathuna@hse.ie