SpeakOut_Apr2015_FINAL_web

professional practice news

Speech pathology practice – no place for fine print

Do you ever read the fine print when you agree to the terms and conditions related to a transaction or service? How many times have you inadvertently signed up for a newsletter or ongoing communications? Do you ever think to yourself I wish I had known that that was going to happen because I wouldn’t have agreed to that? When

clients access a speech pathology service there is no place for fine print.

pathology session, they fully understand and have consented to what is going to happen, the costs, and the potential outcomes. This assumption often leads to misunderstandings and reduced client satisfaction, and in the worst case scenario, complaints and claims being made against the speech pathologist.

Over the coming months we will present a series of articles discussing how to avoid “fine print” and ensure your clients are making fully informed decisions. The articles will cover five main topics: 1. Intake 2. Assessment 3. Communications 4. Interventions 5. Client feedback. Communications I know and understand: • if someone will be contacted about me (or my child) • who will be contacted • why they will be contacted • what will be discussed • that I can specify what I don’t want discussed.

Every aspect of the service should be

discussed either before it occurs or as it occurs, and information should preferably be also made available to the client in writing. It is risky to assume that just because the client is attending a speech

Assessment I know and understand: • why an assessment is needed • what I need to bring to the assessment • what the assessment session will involve and how long it will take • what the assessment report will look like. Fees I know and understand: • what the fee will be • how and when to pay the fee • if I am eligible for a rebate and how to claim the rebate • report writing fees • cancellation fee policy.

Intake I know and understand: • what a speech pathologist does • where I can find out more information about speech pathology • what other speech pathology services are available.

Interventions I know and understand:

• why treatment is recommended • how long the course of treatment will be for • what are the goals • how outcomes are measured • what is best practice • how the decision for treatment to be discontinued will be made.

YES, I CONSENT

Client Feedback I know and understand: • how to provide feedback • who to complain to • how my complaint will be handled.

Please see overleaf for Intake – Point of referral or initial contact with a potential client

Speak Out April 2015

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www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au