JCPSLP
Volume 16, Number 1 2014
9
collated responses initially in agreement). After discussion of
the outstanding features, 100% agreement was reached
between SLPs.
Results
Staffing
Staffing and demographics are reported in Table 1. The
number of inpatient beds per unit ranged from 14–30 (
M
=
21.87,
SD
= 6.49) with SLP staffing ratios ranging from 6.4
to 29 patients per full-time equivalent (FTE) SLPs (
M
=
13.08,
SD
= 6.95).
Therapy services
SLPs performed a range of clinical interventions in BIRUs
with varying frequency, with patterns in service provision
The survey consisted of 42 questions across the five
areas of (i) service data and demographics, (ii) SLP therapy/
intervention services, (iii) education, advocacy and liaison,
(iv) service delivery and (v) “ideal state” of BIRU SLP
services. A frequency rating scale was utilised to measure
the frequency of specific clinical activities in sections (ii) and
(iii) (as suggested by Rattray & Jones, 2005), and to aid in
comparisons of information across sites. Open response
or free text questions were utilised for the remainder of
the survey to elicit as much information as possible from
respondents regarding service delivery. The survey was
informally reviewed and piloted by SLP colleagues from the
local BIRU team, and took approximately 30 minutes to
complete.
This paper reports on the areas of (i) service data and
demographics, (ii) SLP intervention services and (iii) service
delivery (which incorporates 25 questions). This study is
part of a larger study into SLP practice in sub-acute brain
injury rehabilitation, and further results are reported in
Watter, Addis, Copley and Finch (2013).
Data analysis
Results from the surveys were collated and entered into a
Microsoft Excel database. The survey data were analysed
descriptively, with frequency, percentages and means of the
collated data identified. The results were reviewed by a
second SLP to ensure accuracy and agreement. The
percentage agreement initially between the two
investigating SLPs was 99.7% (335 items out of 336
Table 1. SLP BIRU Staffing
Sites
A B C D E F G H
Number of
inpatient beds
14 16 29 16 16 30 28 26
Number of SLP
staff (FTE)
1.6 1.6 1 2.5 1.6 1.6 3.2 2
Patient: SLP ratio
8.75 10 29 6.4 10 18.75 8.75 13
Notes: patient:SLP ratio is the number of patients per SLP; patient:SLP
ratio is calculated per 1 FTE SLP, irrespective of SLP grade/level
Table 2. Types and frequency of SLP interventions provided in BIRUs
Intervention frequency
Treatment type
Never
Rarely
Sometimes
Often
Everyday
(patient dependent)
1:1 Therapy
0%
0%
0%
25% 75%
Joint session with another SLP
0% 62.5%
25%
12.5% 0%
Joint Multidisciplinary team sessions
0%
0%
87.5%
0% 12.5%
Group therapy – SLP led
12.5% 25%
12.5%
50%
0%
Group therapy – Multidisciplinary/interdisciplinary
25% 12.5%
25%
25% 12.5%
Community or functional outings
12.5% 0%
37.5%
50%
0%
Community access assessment
25% 25%
37.5%
12.5% 0%
Patient led (independent) computer-based therapy
0%
0%
62.5%
25% 12.5%
Family therapy sessions (active involvement)
0%
0%
62.5%
37.5% 0%
Table 3. SLP group interventions in BIRU
Impairment/
Function/
skill based
participation based
Total number
13 (56.5%)
10 (43.4%)
of groups
Number of
9
8
different groups
identified
Frequency
Weekly (11)
All groups run weekly
Daily (1)
Monthly (1)
Types of
Low level/AAC
Coffee group (2)
groups/
Problem solving
Movie group
activities
Reading and writing Karaoke group
Memory
Transition/outing group
Naming
News group (2)
Orientation (2)
Cook and chat
Dysarthria
Evening group
Communication/
Speech and song
conversation (4)
Computer group
Note: AAC = Alternative or augmentative communication
