5 answers
Madi
Student
Corona, California
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Should I shadow a speech therapist before I apply to college or are there privacy issues?
#speech-pathology
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5 answers
Laura Mangarelli-Kallenberg P.T. CMPT CBIS
Physical Therapist
3
Answers
Frisco, Texas
Updated
Laura’s Answer
It would be a great idea to observe a SLP. Usually they get permission from their clients and company for you to shadow. It helps you decide if you like the occupation or the setting the SLP is working in and gives you a greater appreciation for the miracles SLP work.
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
6342
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Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Hello Madi,
Answer:
Shadowing a speech therapist before applying to college can be a valuable experience to gain insight into the field of speech pathology and determine if it is the right career path for you. However, there are privacy issues that need to be considered when shadowing any healthcare professional, including speech therapists.
Privacy Concerns: When shadowing a speech therapist, you may encounter sensitive information about patients or clients. Speech therapists, like all healthcare professionals, are bound by strict confidentiality regulations such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). This means that patient information, known as Protected Health Information (PHI), must be kept confidential at all times.
Confidentiality Agreements: Before shadowing a speech therapist, you may be required to sign a confidentiality agreement outlining your responsibilities regarding patient privacy. This agreement will likely include provisions on how you should handle any confidential information you come across during your shadowing experience.
Patient Consent: In some cases, patients may need to provide consent for observers like yourself to be present during therapy sessions. This is to ensure that patients are aware of and comfortable with having an observer in the room while they receive treatment.
Professional Conduct: During your shadowing experience, it is essential to maintain a high level of professionalism and respect for patient privacy. Avoid discussing or sharing any patient information outside of the clinical setting, even after your shadowing experience has ended.
Exploring Alternatives: If privacy concerns make it challenging to shadow a speech therapist directly, consider reaching out to speech therapy clinics or institutions to inquire about alternative ways to learn more about the profession. Some facilities may offer informational sessions or workshops that provide insights into the field without compromising patient privacy.
In conclusion, while shadowing a speech therapist can offer valuable insights into the field of speech pathology, it is crucial to navigate privacy issues responsibly and ethically. By adhering to confidentiality agreements, obtaining patient consent when necessary, and maintaining professional conduct, you can make the most of your shadowing experience while respecting patient privacy.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used in Answering this Question:
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA): HIPAA regulations govern the confidentiality and security of protected health information in healthcare settings.
Speech-Language Pathology Code of Ethics: The professional code of ethics followed by speech-language pathologists includes guidelines on maintaining patient confidentiality and privacy.
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA): ASHA provides resources and guidelines for speech-language pathologists regarding ethical practices, including patient confidentiality and privacy considerations.
GOD BLESS!
James Constantine Frangos.
Answer:
Shadowing a speech therapist before applying to college can be a valuable experience to gain insight into the field of speech pathology and determine if it is the right career path for you. However, there are privacy issues that need to be considered when shadowing any healthcare professional, including speech therapists.
Privacy Concerns: When shadowing a speech therapist, you may encounter sensitive information about patients or clients. Speech therapists, like all healthcare professionals, are bound by strict confidentiality regulations such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). This means that patient information, known as Protected Health Information (PHI), must be kept confidential at all times.
Confidentiality Agreements: Before shadowing a speech therapist, you may be required to sign a confidentiality agreement outlining your responsibilities regarding patient privacy. This agreement will likely include provisions on how you should handle any confidential information you come across during your shadowing experience.
Patient Consent: In some cases, patients may need to provide consent for observers like yourself to be present during therapy sessions. This is to ensure that patients are aware of and comfortable with having an observer in the room while they receive treatment.
Professional Conduct: During your shadowing experience, it is essential to maintain a high level of professionalism and respect for patient privacy. Avoid discussing or sharing any patient information outside of the clinical setting, even after your shadowing experience has ended.
Exploring Alternatives: If privacy concerns make it challenging to shadow a speech therapist directly, consider reaching out to speech therapy clinics or institutions to inquire about alternative ways to learn more about the profession. Some facilities may offer informational sessions or workshops that provide insights into the field without compromising patient privacy.
In conclusion, while shadowing a speech therapist can offer valuable insights into the field of speech pathology, it is crucial to navigate privacy issues responsibly and ethically. By adhering to confidentiality agreements, obtaining patient consent when necessary, and maintaining professional conduct, you can make the most of your shadowing experience while respecting patient privacy.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used in Answering this Question:
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA): HIPAA regulations govern the confidentiality and security of protected health information in healthcare settings.
Speech-Language Pathology Code of Ethics: The professional code of ethics followed by speech-language pathologists includes guidelines on maintaining patient confidentiality and privacy.
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA): ASHA provides resources and guidelines for speech-language pathologists regarding ethical practices, including patient confidentiality and privacy considerations.
GOD BLESS!
James Constantine Frangos.
M TV
Senior Advisor, Business Transformation at Dell Technologies
2
Answers
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Updated
M’s Answer
You may still be able to job shadow a therapist, it could be possible for you after you signed some kind of confidentiality agreement. The therapist can also make sure it is an initial session with the client so it is less in-depth than typical sessions and more of just a medical history in-take. I'm not sure if this is possible where you are, but it wouldn't hurt to ask a couple of people in this field to see if they have any options for you.
Anna Lineback, CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist (Speech Therapist)
1
Answer
San Francisco, California
Updated
Anna’s Answer
An observation/shadowing isn't necessary, but it is nice. It was really valuable when I shadowed an SLP briefly, and then interviewed another SLP about what the field was like. Yes, there may be some confidentiality paperwork involved, but it's worth it! You can try shadowing in different settings, such as a school, clinic, or healthcare provider.
Terri Powell-Brown, DHA(c), MS, CCC-SLP
Chief Executive Officer/Clinical Director PACES Therapy
9
Answers
Washington
Updated
Terri’s Answer
Check out this website. It's a treasure trove of information far surpassing what I could possibly provide. Here's the link: https://www.asha.org/students/undergraduate-students/