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association news

Prof Mark Onslow and Ann Packman receive ASHA journal award

At this year's ASHA convention, Professor Mark Onslow and Ann Packman were awarded the most prestigious ASHA Journal Award, the Alfred K. Kawana Award for Lifetime Achievement in Publications. Mark and Ann are colleagues at the The Australian Stuttering Research Centre at the University of Sydney, and this is the first time that a team has received this award. The Alfred K. Kawana Award is reserved for outstanding researchers who have a sustained history of exemplary publications in ASHA journals. You can read more about the Award via http://journals.pubs.asha.org/SS/Alfred_K_Kawana_Award_for_Lifetime_ Achievement_in_Publications.aspx . Speech Pathology Australia congratulates Mark and Ann on what is a very significant and well-deserved achievement, and thanks them for their contribution to the speech pathology profession both in Australia and internationally.

Embedding Simulation in Clinical Training in Speech Pathology research update (Phase 1)

Does simulated learning provide speech pathology students with competency outcomes comparable to those observed in traditional clinical placements? Simulated Learning Environments are recognised as a valuable learning method, enabling students to develop technical and non- technical skills that prepare them for future clinical practice. Recent research in physiotherapy has determined that a proportion of traditional clinical time could be replaced by simulation experiences without undermining students’ development of knowledge and skills (Blackstock et al., 2013; Watson et al., 2012). Phase 1 of the “Embedding Simulation in Clinical Training in Speech Pathology” project was funded initially by Health Workforce Australia then transferred to the Department of Health (Commonwealth), with full support of Speech Pathology Australia. The overall aim of this project is to determine if students in accredited speech pathology programs achieve a comparable level of competency in placements when an average of 20% of the placement time is replaced with simulated learning activities compared to traditional clinical placements. Phase 1 involved consultation with all Australian universities training speech pathology students (15 universities) across 19 undergraduate and graduate entry training programs. The purpose of the Phase 1 stage was to develop the design of a randomised controlled trial methodology and the framework for simulation interventions appropriate for facilitation of speech pathology students’ competency in adult clinical practice in a range of settings, including acute, rehabilitation, disability and aged care. Through this consultation and development phase, the team has identified university programs able to implement the trial (Phase 2) and a large scale multisite funding application was submitted in October to the Department of Health to seek support for this exciting initiative. Watch this space for future updates! The “Embedding Simulation in Clinical Training in Speech Pathology” Phase 1 project was led by a Project Team from five Australian universities.

Members of the project team ( pictured ): • Dr Anne Hill, The University of Queensland (Project Leader) • Prof Liz Ward, The University of Queensland • A/Prof Bronwyn Davidson, The University of Melbourne • Dr Ruth Nicholls, The University of Melbourne • Assoc Prof Tricia McCabe, The University of Sydney

• Dr Alison Purcell, The University of Sydney • Dr Sally Hewat, The University of Newcastle • Ms Joanne Walters, The University of Newcastle • Assoc Prof Elizabeth Cardell, Griffith University • Ms Simone Howells, Griffith University

• Ms Stacey Baldac, Speech Pathology Australia • Mrs Adriana Penman (0.4FTE) and Ms Daniella Cain (0.4FTE), project officers. If you would like further information about this project, please contact Dr Anne Hill at ae.hill@uq.edu.au . Simone Howells on behalf of the The “Embedding Simulation in Clinical Training in Speech Pathology” Project Team References: Blackstock, F.C., Watson, K.M., Morris, N.R., Jones, A., Wright, A., McMeeken, J.M., et al. (2013). Simulation can contribute a part of cardiorespiratory physiotherapy clinical education. Simulation in Healthcare, 8 (1), 32–42. Watson, K., Wright, A., Morris, N., McMeeken, J., Rivett, D., Blackstock, F., et al. (2012). Can simulation replace part of clinical time? Two parallel randomised controlled trials. Medical Education, 46 , 657–667.

10 Speak Out December 2014

Speech Pathology Australia