Learning to Learn: Staying up on the latest research. Quickly and easily.
Research is the foundation of what we do as SLPs. We rely on it in order to make effective clinical decisions and to guide our patients in the right direction when they are struggling with a choice between different options of care. Research puts the evidence in evidence-based practice. Without it, our entire profession would turn to dust in an instant (Ok, maybe that last one is a little dramatic, but it IS important). I could spend the rest of this article explaining to you how valuable research is, but I don’t think the problem lies in misunderstanding the value. Instead, the problem is that we don’t have enough time to sort through all of the most important research in order to find what we need in the moment. This is a sad reality. Sad because getting access to research has never been faster or easier (except maybe before clinical practice was research-based and clinicians just did things on the fly- that may have been a bit faster, but not so much easier- especially for the patient).
Paid subscriptions
If time truly is the largest barrier standing in your way of accessing quality research then paying for super fast and efficient options are your best bet. Subscription services for Med SLP education has never been less expensive than it is today and certainly has never provided so much bang for your buck. Websites such as Medical SLP Collective, Medbridge, SpeechTherapyPD.com, SpeechPathology.com, and ASHA Learning Pass are all great options for getting in-depth reviews of research-based content quickly and easily. I have a bias towards Medical SLP Collective because I am one of their mentors so I can’t tell you which ones are better than others, but I can tell you they ALL have a lot to offer and for a reasonable price.
Pinching a Penny
Very few of us become rich practicing as SLPs. It’s not fair, but it’s true. A dwindling number of rehab companies will reimburse you for your continuing education and if not it could be worth using your communication and negotiation skills to make a case for yourself. But if you are among the vast majority of unsuccessful SLPs who have to pay out of pocket for their professional growth, there are still some cost-friendly options. ASHA has a growing number of educational resources included in your dues (e.g. Perspectives, The Wire, and the Practice Portal). You can also use Facebook and Instagram to follow SLP influencers who may give out free advice, research, and recommendations for further education. Blogs, such as Dysphagia Cafe, Dysphagia Ramblings, and Swallow Study are all great options to explore new topics and new research (see, you’re already doing it). Also, when trying to get access to specific research, check with your company to see if you have a medical library, which may give you access to a variety of journal subscriptions for free. If not, feel free to search your question on journal search engines to see if you can find one with universal access (i.e. PubMed, Google Scholar, OVID, Cochrane Library, Medline, Science Direct, and UpToDate). Reading through research articles, although time consuming, is one of the best ways to learn about a topic and stumble down the rabbit hole of other research findings.
Live Events
Call me old-school, but as much as I love a good online course there really is nothing like an in-person live event. Whether it be a single course or an entire conference, these events give you the opportunity to feel the energy and excitement of the presenter, ask questions in real time, and connect with like-minded colleagues. Call it nerdy, but it’s as close to a rock concert as continuing education gets.
Learn to Learn
Learning to learn could be one of the most important things we can do as speech pathologists in order to stay current and effective in a constantly and rapidly changing profession. School typically doesn’t teach you how to learn. It is expected that you can simply do it naturally and somehow absorb the information being launched at you from the front of the room to have it forever encapsulated and easily accessible in the surfaces of your mind. But this can’t be further from the truth. Unless you are an especially gifted learner (I myself am 100% excluded from this category), the information that comes in is quickly released out of our skulls and into the universe where it is never to be seen again. The good news is that in 2022 we are no longer expected to memorize the complex array of information and data that comprises speech pathology. You have access to all of it automatically from a little device that is just hanging out in your pocket. Learning is done through repetition, using the knowledge in your clinical routines, and by having access to the support you need to do it effectively. Make research and learning a daily part of your life even if it’s only for 15 minutes every morning before the craziness starts. I know it’s hard, but we can’t do without it. Learn to learn and find new and exciting ways to fill your day with knowledge and education. Because if we don’t learn to learn, we learn to forget. And our patients rely on us to have the best information for their care.
