The Impact of COVID-19 on Speech-Language Pathologists Engaged in Clinical Practices With Elevated Coronavirus Transmission Risk: A 2021 Follow-Up Study

ABSTRACT

Purpose: This study assessed changes in speech-language pathology practice 1 year following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The specific focus was on speech-language pathologists (SLPs) engaged in evaluation and treatment activities that pose an increased risk of virus transmission, namely, aerosol-generating procedures. Method: SLPs from the United States and Canada (n = 609) who were engaged in clinical activities with an elevated risk of COVID-19 exposure completed an online survey regarding their clinical practices. Topics assessed included continuation, modification, or cessation of clinical services, personal protective equipment (PPE) use, COVID-19 infections and vaccinations among SLPs, and financial impacts. For comparison, the results from the 2020 survey are included, and the percentage change (2020% - 2021%) is reported. Results: A majority of SLPs (90%) who completed the current survey reported that they were not experiencing PPE shortages, a marked change from the 2020 survey. Over half of the SLPs (52%) reported changes in clinical duties in 2021, with in-person visits and endoscopy being the most impacted. Nearly half of the respondents (49%) reported conducting virtual/telehealth clinical activities during the pandemic, and of these, 78% had not done any virtual/telehealth work prior to COVID-19. A positive COVID-19 test was reported by 10% of the SLPs (5% higher than in 2020). Most SLPs (92%) indicated they were vaccinated at the time of this survey. Conclusions: The 2021 survey data indicated an overall increase in SLP clinical activities compared with 2020 but have not yet returned to prepandemic levels. These results highlight a notable uptake of virtual/telehealth practice by SLPs, including those who had not previously done so. SLP vaccination rates also exceeded that of the general population.