Structured observation and informant report assessments in intellectual disability: Reflections of qualified and student speech-language pathologists

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the perspectives of qualified and student speech-language pathologists (SLPs) on the clinical utility of informant report and observation tools following a 1-day workshop using a decision tree. Method: Each participant group (qualified [n = 4] or student SLP [n = 8]) attended a 1-day workshop where they engaged with informant report and structured observation tools using video case studies. Each workshop concluded in a focus group conducted by an independent researcher. NVivo 12 software supported inductive coding and subsequent thematic analysis of transcribed data. Result: Thematic analysis revealed that participants’ perceptions of tools’ clinical utility could be conceptualised as three themes (a) tool characteristics, (b) external clinical work demands, and (c) clinician preparedness. Conclusion: Participants’ views on the utility of informant report and structured observation were influenced by tensions between their desires, the realities of clinical practice, and their own capabilities. This has implications for workforce development in the field in providing clinician guidance, training, and support.