Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) in Speech-Language Therapy

Abstract

Evidence-based practice (EBP) is supposed to integrate: Clinical Expertise, External Clinical Evidence and Patient Preferences. In the process of speech-language therapy after precise clinical assessment it refers to following steps, named in literature ‘5A’ formula: ask clinical question, acquire evidences, appraise the evidences, apply the strategy based on gathered evidenced, assess results from the incorporated strategy.
The aim of the article is to describe the idea of evidence-based practice in speech-language pathology and its strengths and weaknesses in confrontation with reality. There have been essential elements of EBP presented, as well as hierarchy of evidence, sources of evidence-based publications which are important for speech-language pathology, and speechlanguage therapy steps according to EBP criteria. Conclusions for clinicians and researchers may contribute to development of evidence-based practice in Polish speech-language pathology.