Key points
- Technology can enhance access and improve efficiency for speech and language therapists and their service users
- Local policies and procedures are required to keep pace with the rapid changes in technology, and ensure safety and security
- An understanding of the benefits and challenges of technology is part of a speech and language therapist’s responsibilities
Introduction
During the last decade there has been rapid growth in inexpensive, sophisticated technology, operating across multiple platforms in numerous formats.
Technology has created exciting opportunities for streamlining workflows, improving access to services, enhancing quality and diversity services.
However, it has also brought challenges; it requires a new knowledge base, and there are risks to confidentiality, security and professionalism.
Here you will find information about technology including:
- Range of different technologies used by speech and language therapists
- Requirements and responsibilities linked to the use of technology
- Benefits and challenges of using technology
- How to implement new forms of technology
- National guidance linked to use of technology
Specific information on:
- Telehealth
- Apps
- Communications technology
- Self-managed computer therapy
- Augmentative and alternative communication
Please contact us with any feedback on these pages.
Technology in speech and language therapy
Technology has expanded the boundaries of speech and language therapy.
Technology may be used for:
- Communication (between professionals and between professionals and service users)
- Telephone and video call/conferencing
- Text message
- Electronic records
- Promoting therapy services
- Websites
- Networking
- Online forums
- Blogs
- Social media
- Enhancing knowledge and development
- E-learning
- Accredited websites
- Online journals and research databases
- Provision of therapy services
The huge application of technology can make it difficult to regulate. Boundaries between personal and professional use of technology can become blurred, as can the boundaries between service user and service provider’s use of technology.
Responsibilities
Speech and language therapists are responsible for familiarising themselves with local policies and guidelines relating to technology. They are also responsible for highlighting any security risks and breaches that they identify during the course of their work.
Independent practitioners: should develop their own policies relating technology, in line with guidance from the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).
Technology continues to advance rapidly. Speech and language therapists should be aware that current information is subject to change, and carry out their own research on advances in technology and new guidance/standards, in order to make informed decisions about technology.
There are national guidelines to cover the use of technology.
Visit Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) for supporting guidance on adhering to regulation standards.
Benefits and challenges
Technology has the potential to:
- Improve time efficiency
- Improve quality of services
- Expand types of services offered
- Improve access
- Reduce cost
New technology can be difficult to implement. It requires:
- Understanding of how to source funding
- Understanding of information governance issues
- Understanding of consent and confidentiality issues
- Understanding of hardware and software security
- Knowledge of the technology itself
Working with stakeholders and creating robust policies and procedures is essential.
Some technology is unregulated and has little research base. Speech and language therapists need to explore the evidence before implementing new technologies.
Implementing new technology
Initial investigations:
- What is the technology required for?
- Is the chosen technology fit for purpose, will it achieve what you need?
- What is the evidence-base?
- How do others use it?
- Do you have the infrastructure to support it?
- Does it need access to the internet?
- How does it fit with service strategy?
Initial considerations:
- How much does it cost?
- Is the cost recurrent – increasing numbers of online software providers, do so by monthly subscription services.
- Is there a support service available?
- How will hardware be maintained, repaired, replaced?
- Who will be responsible for it?
- What are the security issues – both physical and digital?
Funding:
Funding needs to consider the issues mentioned above. If is not available from within the speech and language budget you may wish to consider:
- Local Hospital League of friends
- School League of friends
- Hospital consultant’s research budget
- SLT Budget? Check for underspend due to maternity/staff vacancy
- Hospital charity
- Ex-patient fundraisers
- Hospital Trust – Capital Funding Bid
- NHS Regional Innovation Fund
- NHS technology fund (£1bn was made available to upgrade NHS networks nationwide)
- Local golf club
- Rotary Club/Lions
- Social Media/Crowd funding/Radio Appeal
- Charitycommission.gov.uk – search for charities here
- Stroke Association
- MNDA
- Tavistock Trust for aphasia – individual software funding
- The Stammer Trust
- SLT Trust Fund – RCSLT Welfare fund offers grants for specialist medical equipment
The Computers in therapy toolkit CIT CEN contains download forms and letters for applying for funding.
Implementing:
New hardware and software should be recorded on a database.
Liaise with relevant stakeholders to create robust policies and procedures for use of the new technology. Policies and procedures should cover the following issues in relation to technology:
- Provision, monitoring, use, maintenance and disposal of assets
- Information governance – how will content generated be recorded and stored under the data protection and freedom of information acts?
- Consent and confidentiality – how will service users consent to use of the technology and how will any personal information stored on it be kept confidential
- Security
- Infection control
Evaluation
How will the new technology be evaluated?
- User feedback
- Formal outcome measures
- Audit
National Legislation and Guidance
National legislation:
Freedom of Information Act (2000)
National frameworks and guidance
General Medical Council. Doctors’ use of social media.
Health Education England – The Topol Review. Preparing the healthcare workforce to deliver the digital future.
Health Education England. Development of a digital competency framework for UK Allied Health Professionals.
Healthcare Improvement Scotland. How we use social media.
NHS England. A Digital Framework for Allied Health Professionals
NHS Trusts will have their own information governance policies regarding the use of communications technology such as telephone and e-mail correspondence. Many NHS trusts are also developing their own social media policies
Definitions
Telehealth is the provision of healthcare services remotely using technology such as video conferencing. Telehealth is often used interchangeably with telemedicine, telepractice and, in the case of speech and language therapy, synonymously with telespeech and teleslp.
Bandwidth
Amount of data that can be sent from one computer to another through a particular connection in a certain amount of time, e.g. via a computer to the Internet and vice versa.
The more bandwidth available, the faster you are able to access information. Bandwidth is usually measured in kilobits per second (Kbps) or megabits per second (Mbps).
Document reader
Digital imaging hardware that allows paper copies of documents to be projected on to the shared screen allowing the therapist and client to view the same objects. Therapists can often make instructional objects appear larger in order to demonstrate in detail to clients and caregivers.
Hardware
The physical parts of a computer system, e.g. monitor, mouse, keyboard, etc.
Host device
Computer or other device connected to a computer network as the prime device in a telehealth setting, e.g. a video conference. The host may offer information resources, services, and applications to other users on the network.
HTTP endpoints
An endpoint is the service that processes server calls and returns data to the user.
To display Internet-based information on your computer screen, your computer makes a call to a remote server. The server returns information that is interpreted by your browser to form the website or an application displayed in your browser.
Learning platform
Technology used to provide a single online location at which course resources can be made available to learners. These resources can include course materials, communications tools such as email and conferencing, and a storage area for learners’ work.
Platform
Group of technologies that are used as a base upon which other applications, processes or technologies are developed. In personal computing, a platform is the basic hardware (computer) and software (operating system) on which software applications can be run.
Platform-independent
Software that runs on any type of computer.
Software
Generic term that describes all kinds of computer programs, applications and operating systems. Software is not tangible; it is a set of instructions written in a programming language executed by the computer.
Webinar
Live meeting that takes place over the internet. It can be used to deliver training, host/attend meetings, have discussions and meet with many people all at once.
