Why do students from related professions choose not to enter speech-language pathology?

Abstract

This paper provides insight into the reasons why students from similar undergraduate professional preparation programs (education and allied health) choose not to enter the speech-language pathology (SLP) program. A survey was conducted with students of education (n = 162), occupational therapy (n = 139), physiotherapy (n = 49) and social work (n = 64). Qualitative and quantitative analyses suggested that many of the students did not know about the speech-language pathology profession at the time when they selected their career or they had a limited knowledge of the scope of professional practice (e.g., identified SLP as too specific) and this may have influenced their decision making. These findings, along with recent research in regard to the factors that influence career choice in SLP, inform the SLP profession of the need for increased public education about the profession. Further, this increased need for public education becomes more vital as the profession prepares to ensure adequate number of SLPs for future service delivery in the face of increased service demands and SLP shortages.

Keywords:

• Allied Health Professions (AHP)
• speech-language pathology
• workforce issues
• allied health
• career choice
• workforce

Acknowledgements

The author acknowledges the financial support of the University of Newcastle via a Research Scholarship during the time this data was collected. Sincere thanks go to Associate Professor Alison Ferguson for her guidance and support both as a supervisor in my academic endeavours (i.e., PhD) and throughout my professional career. Final thanks go to the students, who through their participation, made this research possible.