Be The Change: Increasing Medical SLP value and enhancing our field
If you’re reading this, it’s likely that you love being a medical speech-language pathologist. I do too. We love it so much that we are committed to making our field and ourselves better by investing in education and personal growth. Not just once or twice throughout the year, but constantly. Given the complexity of what we do, this is not something nice or something extra. It is absolutely essential to be effective for our patients.
It’s not an exaggeration to say that we are changing lives in our practice, right? Think about it this way: What is life without the ability to communicate, to sing, to tell someone you love them, or to enjoy a sip of hot coffee, a savory bite of a cheeseburger, or an unforgettable spoonful of delicious ice cream? These aren't just foods, and they’re not just vibrating vocal folds. They are moments of connection and joy that many of our patients are forced to sacrifice. We are here to equip ourselves with the research, knowledge, and guidance to put an end to that sacrifice and help maximize the quality our patients can squeeze out of every single day.
But I want to be completely honest about something. Being a medical SLP is not easy. And we are at a crossroads today. We have all experienced the ignorance and disrespect of our medical colleagues. We all know the pushback we get on our recommendations—that is, if they’re not completely ignored altogether. We know the feeling of burnout, where you’re exhausted and unconvinced that you’re even making a difference. These problems are multifaceted and have many different causes. These are not things we talk about enough, but they are a part of the reality we live through in our careers.
What needs to be done
Yes, we are making a difference in our patients' lives, but all of us in the field can do more to ensure that difference shines through to the rest of the medical field. I have had conversations with hundreds of SLPs, and what I’ve found is a few things that need to be done:
We must identify the key issues, find ways to add value, and strategize how to communicate that value.
We must learn how to find and use research to successfully implement evidence-based practice quickly and seamlessly.
We must give our recommendations value and meaning in a way that resonates with the medical team.
Most importantly, we must learn how to be more informed and effective SLPs for our patients.
Change always starts with one person who is dedicated enough and maybe crazy enough to think they can make a difference. One person truly can change an entire field; in fact, that’s the only way change ever happens.
The transition begins when we move past theories and embrace a complete set of practical insights and tools designed to reduce the issues we face every day. We can turn the resistance we see into a revolution in which our place in healthcare is solidified, well understood, and well respected. We can make an impact on our patients and our teams that simply cannot be ignored.
That’s the path. If you want to walk it with me, check out my new course: Enroll here. It includes access to an exclusive group where I provide direct support and answer your questions. Why? Because I know you need more than a talking head and a slide deck to make a difference in your practice. Do you remember anything from that course you took just a few months ago? Me either. Enroll and learn with me today: Be The Change
