Professional Issues in Speech-Language Pathology Midterm

What are some barriers to access to SLP services?

Some barriers include infrastructure, funding, and cultural barriers.

In some parts of the world, individuals may be unable to access SLP services due to a lack of professionals, lack of transportation, etc. As with many services that people need, cost can also play a huge impact on an individual's ability to obtain SLP services.

What are the consequences if children and adults do not receive SLP services?

Consequences of individuals not being able to receive our services include become at risk for being "observers" on the sidelines due to not reaching their potential of the complex language today's world requires.

Another consequence includes not being able to obtain correct communication skills needed for employment, education, and social interaction. This can cause low self-esteem and social exclusion.

What are some of the reasons for reimbursement denial?

Common reasons for reimbursement denial includes not enough documentation, no referral from physician, services not covered by individuals health insurance, service deemed "not medically necessary", laps of authorization period, and patient not improving.

What are cultural barriers to access?

Cultural barriers to access occur when an individual is unable to adequately obtain needed services due to their cultural belief, race, ethnicity, religion, education, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, income, and languages spoken.

For example, not having speakers of the client's native language.

How can you optimize the likelihood of receiving reimbursement?

It is important to include as much documentation as possible (diagnosis, date of onset, progress note, etc.) in order to prove "medical necessity".

It is also important to demonstrate how our services are evidence-based practice.

Which laws provide access to SLP services?

Title 5, Title 18, Title 19, Title 20, Title 21, IDEA, and Rehabilitation Act

The primary funding vehicle for states' preschool early intervention, elementary, and secondary special education programs

IDEA

funds rehabilitation services, including audiology and speech-language pathology for individuals ranging in age from 16 and up.

A national law that prohibits discrimination against qualified people with disabilities for employment in the federal sector.

Rehabilitation Act

supports Maternal Child Health Bureau's programming for children with special needs and includes newborn hearing screenings

Title 5

Medicare, which provides for speech language pathology and audiology coverage

Title 18

Medicaid, which addresses health care and long-term care of people who meet low income and asset guidelines

Title 19

Social Services Subsidy, which in some instances supports social work services and, in turn, can help families access speech-language pathology and audiology services

Title 20

Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), a funding source for speech-language pathology and audiology services, usually administered by a state's Department of Human Services, Medicaid Division

Title 21

How does telehealth expand access to services?

Telehealth expands access to services, as some patients do not have adequate transportation access; this allows them to attend their therapy session.

What are some actions for advocacy?

Some actions for advocacy include continuing education, consumer education and mobilization, financial support, marketing to education of referral sources, writing to legislators, and participating in clinical research.

Why must SLPs be involved in advocacy?

SLPs must be involved in advocacy, as we are involved with so many populations and it is part of our ASHA Code of Ethics. It gives us the opportunity to educate the "decision makers" about any areas of concern that we see.

As SLPs, advocacy gives us the opportunity to share knowledge to other citizens on issues that may be impacting the local area.

What role do legislators play in advocacy?

Legislators are the ones that can actually take the big action to change laws and do something for those needed to be advocated for. They are the "final decision makers".

What are the purposes of ASHA?

1. To encourage studies of individual humans with speech, language, hearing, and communication disorders

2. To promote high standards and ethics for those entering the field

3. To promote acquisition of new knowledge of the field

4. To promote investigation, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment in the field

5. To foster improvement of clinical services in said disorders

6. To stimulate exchange of information in the field between persons and organizations

7. To inform the public about the field and related disorders

8. To advocate for people with said disorders and related disorders

9. To promote individual and professional interests of members

What are Special Interest Groups (SIGs)?

SIGs are specialized areas that ASHA members can join to access research, programs, and dialogue.

They can gain the knowledge and expertise in those groups to influence practice in those areas of specialization.

What are Related Professional Organizations (RPO)?

RPOs are organizations that involve educational and clinical interests that are not technically within ASHAs scope.

Where is the ASHA National Office?

Rockville, MD

What are the benefits of international alliances?

The benefits of international alliances include promoting exchange for best practices, promoting global research for scholars, and promoting sustainable practices.

What is the name of the major speech and language association?

The International Issues Board of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

What are the other national speech, language, and hearing associations?

The Speech-Language and Audiology Association of Canada

Irish Association of Speech-Language Therapists

New Zealand Speech-Language Therapists' Association

Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists

Speech Language Association of Australia Limited

What is SIG17?

SIG17 is one for global issues in communication sciences and related disorders.

In what ways is ASHA involved in international alliances?

ASHA monitors global issues that impact our profession and emphasizes the multicultural impact that professionals in our scope can exact.

ASHA has a plan to help keep all practices culturally inclusive called the Strategic Pathway to Excellences, as well as a pathway called "practicing at the top of the license"

What is a conflict of interest?

A conflict of interest is an obstruction between a person's personal interests versus their professional responsibilities.

This would include something like keeping a patient on your caseload for the sake of productivity standards when they should be discharged.

What are some ethical issues in practice management?

Some of the ethical issues in practice management include the importance of confidentiality, obtaining informed consent about documentation, marketing, and impaired practitioners.

What are some ethical issues related to supervision?

Ethical issues related to supervision include licensure, balancing the student's experience with their clinical experience, and modeling professional behavior with those students.

What is the complaint process for unethical behavior?

You would first submit a complaint to the Board of Ethics, then they will deliberate and ask for a follow up.

Who has the responsibility of changing the Code of Ethics?

The Board of Ethics

What are typical ethical complaints?

A typical ethical complaint can include not referring a patient to the correct speciality when there is an occurring issue outside of their scope.

Another typical ethical complaint can be using any information (name, diagnosis, etc.) that makes the patient identifiable.

Describe two sanctions that can be imposed for ethical mistakes.

Reprimand and Revocation

This sanction is confidential, and the mistake is usually minor. This is only disclosed to the complainant and the individual that was in violation.

Reprimand

This can include revoking the person's ASHA membership. The amount of time varies, and the decision is based on a two-thirds vote of the members of the BOE.

Revocation.

In order to obtain licensure, who do you need to send applications to?

ASHA and your state

How many hours of CEUs do you need?

30 hours every three years

How many CEU hours do you need of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)?

2 hours

How many CEU hours do you need of ethics?

1 hour

CEUs are also known as...

professional development hours (PDH)

____ is the integration of clinical expertise/expert opinion, external scientific evidence, and client/patient/caregiver perspectives.

EBP

Policymakers in both insurance and government have implemented EBP requirements for...

reimbursement

What is the difference between certification and licensure?

Certification is voluntary and demonstrates to the public that you have completed advanced training and experience, whereas licensure is mandatory and is issued by the state.

Examples: Training in LSVT is a certification; Speech-Language Pathology Licensure is mandatory to provide services in that state.

What was the first name of ASHA?

American Academy of Speech Correction

When did the American Academy of Speech Correction form?

1925

In 1952, ASHA created a separate certification pathway for...

speech-language pathology and audiology

What is the difference between the private and public sanctions?

Reprimands can be private, whereas censures can be public reprimands.

Only public sanctions can be published with names in the ASHAWire and ASHA Leader.

What is the ASHA Code of Ethics?

A framework and focused guide for professionals in support of day-to-day decision making related to professional conduct.

Who is the ASHA Code of Ethics applicable to?

a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association holding the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC)

A member of the Association not holding their CCCs

A nonmember of the Association holding their CCCs

an applicant for certification, or for membership and certification

How many principles of ethics are there?

4

The four Principles of Ethics form the underlying philosophical basis for the Code of Ethics are are reflected in the following areas:

Responsibility to persons served professionally and to research participants, both human and animal

Responsibility for one's professional competence

Responsibility to the public

Responsibility for professional relationships

What does it mean to practice "at the top of our license"?

Includes assessing individuals, providing skilled intervention, consulting with colleagues regarding functional goals and treatment options, and supervising support personnel, students, and clinical fellows. It also means providing education or professional development on challenging and emerging practice strategies, and working with clients and their families on self-management.

Basically means that we are working to our skill level and that we are using our knowledge base and skills.

What does interprofessional collaboration mean to us?

Working with other healthcare professionals to provide the patient the best care. This includes keeping other professionals up to speed on client progress and having discussions about patient goals.

For example: In an outpatient rehab facility, there is typically SLP, OT, PT, Psych, and Social work, etc. All healthcare professionals should collaborate with each other to maximize the patient's outcome and work together to set goals.

Why are CEUs important?

We should all strive to be lifelong learners and grow to expand our knowledge base.

What are the requirements for maintaining your CCCs?

Submit your compliance form to verify your 30 professional development hours

Abide by the ASHA Code of Ethics

Maintain affiliation by paying annual dues of the annual certification fee.