An introduction to the speechBITE database: Speech pathology database for best interventions and treatment efficacy

Abstract

This paper describes the development of the Speech Pathology Database for Best Interventions and Treatment Efficacy (speechBITE) at The University of Sydney. The speechBITE database is designed to provide better access to the intervention research relevant to speech pathology and to help clinicians interpret treatment research. The challenges speech pathologists face when locating research to support evidence-based practice have been well documented and include inadequate time resources and difficulties in navigating and using a multiplicity of electronic databases. These barriers are addressed by speechBITE by providing the first open-access database on the internet that solely indexes treatment in the area of communication and swallowing disorders. The database includes the bibliographic details from systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials, nonrandomized controlled trials, case series, and single-case experimental design studies. At present, randomized and nonrandomized controlled trials are rated with the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale to assist clinicians with interpreting the methodological quality of the clinical studies of relevance to speech pathologists.

Source of funding: Speech Pathology Australia, the Motor Accidents Authority of NSW, Guild Insurance, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, and the Canadian Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists.

Keywords:

• speechBITE
• Database
• Evidence-based practice
• Speech-language pathology

Acknowledgments

The development of speechBITE relies on the generous support of a number of interested bodies including The University of Sydney, Speech Pathology Australia, the Motor Accidents Authority of NSW (Australia), Guild Insurance, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, and the Canadian Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists.

Declaration of interest: The commentary authors disclose that they are the developers of the speechBITE database and are solely responsible for the content of this manuscript.

Notes

Source of funding: Speech Pathology Australia, the Motor Accidents Authority of NSW, Guild Insurance, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, and the Canadian Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists.