Supporting speech and language therapy students in uncertain times

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted significantly on the provision of speech and language therapy education. In this commentary, we consider the impact of unprecedented uncertainty and disruption on the student experience. Changes made within both university and practice-based learning environments have resulted in the continuation of high-quality learning experiences enabling students to continue or complete their programmes. However, studying in uncertain times has been destabilising for students having the potential to impact on the more nuanced aspects of clinical and professional development (e.g., self-efficacy, confidence, and professional identity formation). We reflect on collaborative efforts to support students with navigating uncertainty and change and to facilitate their ongoing personal, professional and clinical development in a holistic way. There is a need for empirical research into the experiences of student speech and language therapists who have studied or are continuing to study in the context of COVID-19. Such research will help inform university and practice-based educators as well as SLT managers about the ongoing needs of this population. Dealing with uncertainty should be considered within university-based curriculum development as well as induction and supervisory systems within the workplace.