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Carey, B., O’Brian, S., Onslow, M., Block, S., Jones, M., & Packman, A. (2010). Randomized controlled non- inferiority trial of a telehealth treatment for chronic stuttering: The Camperdown program. International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders , 45 (1), 108–120. Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu (Deloitte) (2008). National e-health strategy: National E-Health & Information Principal Committee . Deloitte, Australia. Department of Health and Aging (DoHA). (2011). The ehealth readiness of Australia’s allied health sector . Retrieved from: http://www.health.gov.au/internet/ publications/publishing.nsf/Content/ehealth-readiness- allied-toc-app-3-Speech+pathologists Department of Health and Aging (DoHA). (2012). Telehealth technical standards position paper . Retrieved from http://www.mbsonline.gov.au/internet/mbsonline/ publishing.nsf/Content/5832E4E7E50D568BCA25790600 0BCDD0/$File/Telehealth%20Technical%20Standards%20 Position%20Paper.pdf Dunkley, C., Pattie L., Wilson, L., & McAllister, L. (2010). A comparison of rural speech-language pathologists’ and residents’ access to and attitudes towards the use of technology for speech-language pathology service delivery. International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology , 12 (4), 333–343. Erickson, S. (2012). No boundaries: Perspectives of international Skype delivery of the Lidcombe Program. Journal of Clinical Practice in Speech-Language Pathology , 14 (3), 146–148. Hill, A. J., & Miller, L. E. (2012). A survey of the clinical use of telehealth in speech-language pathology across Australia. Journal of Clinical Practice in Speech-Language Pathology , 14 (3), 110–117. Lewis, C., Packman, A., Onslow, M., Simpson, J., & Jones, M. (2008). A phase II trial of telehealth delivery of the Lidcombe Program of Early Stuttering Intervention. American Journal of Speech Language Pathology , 17 (2), 139–149. Liamputtong, P. (2010). Research methods in health: foundations for evidence based practice . Oxford University Press, Australia. Mashima, P.A., & Doarn, C. R. (2008). Overview of telehealth activities in speech-language pathology. Telemedicine and e-health , 14 (10), 1101–1117. Reynolds, A. L., Vick, J. L., & Haak, N. J. (2009). Telehealth applications in speech-language pathology: a modified narrative review. Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare , 15 (6), 310–316. Sharma, S., Ward, E. C., Burns, C., Theodoros, D., & Russell, T. (2013). Assessing dysphagia via telerehabilitation: Patient perceptions and satisfaction. International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology , 15 (2), 176–183. Theodoros, D. G. (2012). A new era in speech-language pathology practice: Innovation and diversification. International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology , 14 (3), 189–199.

effectiveness or efficiency because of the additional time required for planning, set up and potential technical issues. Like the Hill and Miller, this study also confirmed that insufficient information and training are significant barriers for both users and non-users of telehealth. To address this, practising SLPs should be made aware of existing resources such as the Telehealth Technical Standards (DoHA, 2012), “A Blueprint for Telerehabilitation Guidelines” (Brennan et al., 2010) and the upcoming publication of the SPA Telepractice Position Statement. Additionally, the curricula of SLP teaching institutions should expose students to the evidence regarding telehealth-delivered SLP services and prepare them to deliver such services. This exposure should occur both in academic subjects and via clinical placements. The extent to which this already happens in Australia is yet to be formally established. Finally, telehealth policy review and development is urgently needed across all sectors. To date very little promotion of funding options by private health insurers and federal government initiatives has occurred. Establishing and disseminating the policy guidelines for all funding bodies is essential. Furthermore, the continued lobbying of Medicare to expand current telehealth rebates to include allied health services is warranted. Limitations and future research This paper reports findings from a small sample of SLPs, most of whom were from a government health service in one state. Several states were not represented and no participants worked in the education sector (perhaps due to the use of the “health-centric” term telehealth rather than telepractice). Caution should therefore be exercised in making generalisations from these findings. Future research should include a larger, more representative sample. This could be achieved with a quantitative approach utilising a questionnaire based on the major themes identified in this study. Research is also needed to establish the impact of education, training and policy development on the uptake of telehealth in the profession. Conclusion The findings of this study are clinically relevant given a disparity between the National eHealth Strategy (Deloitte, 2008) and the willingness of many SLPs to embrace telehealth (DoHA, 2011; Hill & Miller, 2012). Despite evidence supporting the benefits of utilising teleheath in SLP including increased efficiency and improved access (Mashima & Doarn, 2008; Reynolds et al., 2009), changes must occur if the true potential is to be realised. Addressing clinician attitudes and perceptions, providing suitable education and training and reducing organisational barriers could result in a greater uptake of telehealth, and consequently, much needed increases in access, efficiency and cost effectiveness of SLP services. References American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). (2005). Speech-language pathologists providing clinical services via telepractice: Position statement . Retrieved from www.asha.org/policy Boisvert, M., Hall, N., Andrianopolous, M., & Chaclas, J. (2012). The multifaceted implementation of telepractice to service individuals with autism. International Journal of Telerehabilitation , 4 (2), 11–24. Brennan, D., Tindall, L., Theodoros, D., Brown, J., Campbell, M., Christiana, D. … Lee, A. (2010). A blueprint for telerehabilitation guidelines. International Journal of Telerehabilitation . 2 (2), 31–34.

Jodie May is a speech pathologist specialising in early childhood intervention. Shane Erickson is a speech pathologist, lecturer and researcher at La Trobe University.

Correspondence to: Dr Shane Erickson Department of Human Communication Sciences La Trobe University, Bundoora, Vic. 3086 phone: (03) 9479 1838 email: s.erickson@latrobe.edu.au

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