Contemporary clinical conversations about stuttering: How to keep up with stuttering treatment research.

Abstract

Purpose: To discuss how speech-language pathologists can keep up with stuttering treatment research. To inform junior clinicians and students of speech-language pathology about this matter.

Method: The issue was discussed by two university researchers and two speech-language pathologists who provide clinical services. Written conversational turns in an exchange were limited to 100 words each.

Result: There was agreement among the group that keeping up to date with stuttering research is essential for speech-language pathologists, and to do so requires a basic understanding of research methods. For treatment research, there are several levels of evidence, and there was agreement that they are all relevant to clinical practice. All in the group agreed that basic research is essential to inform clinical practice, particularly in five domains. The volume of stuttering research is challenging for generalist clinicians to keep up with.

Conclusion: We make recommendations about how speech-language pathologists can keep up with stuttering treatment research in a time-efficient manner. This may be particularly useful for junior clinicians and students of speech-language pathology.