Abstract
Clinical expertise is a component of evidence-based practice; however, relatively little attention has been paid to this phenomenon in the professional literature of speech-language pathology. This may have negative impacts on the training of pre-professional and novice speech-language pathologists. The purpose of this study was to examine professional narratives of expert Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) to consider applications for knowledge transfer between expert clinicians and novice clinicians. Collection of the professional narratives of 10 expert SLPs were obtained through in-depth interviews. Interviews were transcribed and coded for themes. Themes that impacted expertise in SLP included: training; work sites; individual and clinician traits; a holistic versus disorder-specific view; technical excellence; acknowledgment of and reflection upon mistakes; professional networking; peer and patient recognition; and, embracing the creative. Within the narratives, implications toward knowledge transfer for novice clinicians were evident. Narratives of expert SLPs may facilitate knowledge transfer of clinical expertise. Of the nine themes identified, seven were consistent with previous literature, and two were not. The themes provide an opportunity for further research and development, largely concerning knowledge transfer in clinical education.
Recommended Citation
Douglas, N. F.,
Squires, K.,
Hinckley, J.,
&
Nakano, E. V.
(2019).
Narratives of Expert Speech-Language Pathologists: Defining Clinical Expertise and Supporting Knowledge Transfer.
Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders, 3(2).
DOI: https://doi.org/10.30707/TLCSD3.2Douglas
