4 August 2025
A scoping review recently published in the International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders (IJLCD) maps the current landscape of health economic research in our profession.
This broad overview identifies 52 published studies presenting economic evaluations of speech and language therapy interventions from 1988 until the present day. Most studies to date have focused on stroke/aphasia, or paediatric populations. Pre 2010, studies were carried out less frequently and tended to use simpler health economic designs. However, since this point, there has been a notable growth in the number and complexity of economic evaluations in speech and language therapy. This is an important development for our profession. With overwhelming pressure on health and social care budgets, it is increasingly important to be able to make a robust case for the economic value of speech and language therapy services. Nonetheless, further research is urgently needed to drive forward the maturity of our evidence-base in this area.
In order to develop and utilise this important evidence, the study concludes with suggestions reaching across the profession and beyond. This includes:
- recommendations for better funding for speech and language therapy health economic research from funding bodies
- the use of sophisticated economic evaluation designs and modelling techniques from researchers
- careful consideration and application of research findings from commissioners, service leaders, and clinicians.
These suggestions will not only strengthen our evidence base but also support equitable and sustainable access to speech and language therapy across the lifespan.
