Speech-language pathologists’ preferences for digital evidence resources: a survey study
Tracks
Room 3
| Wednesday, December 2, 2026 |
| 11:30 AM - 11:50 AM |
| Concurrent Room 2 |
Overview
Kate Smith
Speaker
Ms Kate Smith
University of Sydney
Speech-language pathologists’ preferences for digital evidence resources: a survey study
Abstract
Aims: Providing evidence-based, high-quality healthcare depends on clinicians having ready access to concise, synthesised evidence. While substantial research on doctors’ information needs has informed the development of several digital evidence tools for medical staff, comparatively little attention has been given to allied health practitioners, creating a gap in the evidence underpinning resource design.
This study applies a human-centred design framework to examine the online information needs of speech- language pathologists (SLPs) to inform the development of a tailored digital evidence resource. The survey reported here represents Phase 1, addressing the initial stage of human-centred design by identifying key information needs, work contexts, and user requirements.
Methods: An online survey of 33 questions was disseminated internationally via newsletters, social media and word-of-mouth. All SLPs in clinical roles were eligible to participate.
Results: A total of 345 valid responses were received from clinicians across 20 countries. SLPs frequently search online for evidence, with 50% doing so at least weekly. Clinicians most commonly use specialised speech pathology resources, Google, or Google Scholar. The majority (63%) reported clinical questions arising at least weekly, while 74% found it somewhat or very difficult to locate answers online. Credibility, currency, and critical appraisal were identified as the most valued features of digital resources used to inform practice.
Discussion/implications: Clinicians actively use available online resources to support evidence-based practice; however, these tools do not consistently meet their information needs. This has implications for the delivery of evidence-informed care for people with communication disorders. Findings highlight the need for better-aligned digital solutions that reflect clinicians’ workflows, contexts, and preferences. In the next phase, qualitative methods will further define user requirements to guide the design of a digital evidence tool that more effectively fits the needs of the profession.
This study applies a human-centred design framework to examine the online information needs of speech- language pathologists (SLPs) to inform the development of a tailored digital evidence resource. The survey reported here represents Phase 1, addressing the initial stage of human-centred design by identifying key information needs, work contexts, and user requirements.
Methods: An online survey of 33 questions was disseminated internationally via newsletters, social media and word-of-mouth. All SLPs in clinical roles were eligible to participate.
Results: A total of 345 valid responses were received from clinicians across 20 countries. SLPs frequently search online for evidence, with 50% doing so at least weekly. Clinicians most commonly use specialised speech pathology resources, Google, or Google Scholar. The majority (63%) reported clinical questions arising at least weekly, while 74% found it somewhat or very difficult to locate answers online. Credibility, currency, and critical appraisal were identified as the most valued features of digital resources used to inform practice.
Discussion/implications: Clinicians actively use available online resources to support evidence-based practice; however, these tools do not consistently meet their information needs. This has implications for the delivery of evidence-informed care for people with communication disorders. Findings highlight the need for better-aligned digital solutions that reflect clinicians’ workflows, contexts, and preferences. In the next phase, qualitative methods will further define user requirements to guide the design of a digital evidence tool that more effectively fits the needs of the profession.
Biography
Kate Smith is a certified practising speech-language pathologist and PhD candidate in the Faculty of Medicine and Health at The University of Sydney. Kate's research aims to apply human-centered design to develop a prototype of a digital clinical decision tool to support evidence-informed decision making for speech-language pathologists in clinical practice. Kate also works as a Senior Research Officer at The University of Sydney.
