According to the statistics, there are around 13,000 practising SLPs in the UK and around 2.5 million people in the UK have a speech or language difficulty:
5% of children enter school with difficulties in speech and language 30% of people who have had a stroke have a persisting speech and language disorder.In terms of the functional duties of a speech therapist, we can single out one very significant duty that should not be overlooked. This is the completion of the necessary documentation in the prescribed form to meet the demands of a huge number of these people. A clinician's ability to manage it is one of the most important indicators of their professionalism.
A therapist devotes a lot of time to writing session notes, conclusions, characteristics, representations, and the design of speech cards. Thus, he should use his working time rationally.
Learn how to simplify your practice workflow and free up more time for patients with Medesk.
When identifying children with peculiarities not only regarding speech development, he makes suggestions for further successful plan of care, or, if necessary, refers them to a specialist (neuropsychiatrist, neuropathologist, otolaryngologist, etc.).
Therefore, in order to save more time on the selection of the necessary phrases, special expressions, and formulations, we have selected a few suggestions for daily notes that simplify filling out the documents, while maintaining their content and accuracy. As a result, they are better able to organize their work and develop their skills in the field of speech-language pathology.
A SOAP note format is one of the most effective ways to fill out a progress note. We are planning to teach you how to use this tool in your private practice. In addition, we are going to give you some lifehacks and tips that will make the client's progress a reality.
SOAP notes are widely used by various specialists: mental health professionals, psychologists, caregivers, and speech-language pathologists.
When filling out a document for clients, it is necessary to know the content of regulatory documents related to this issue. It is also necessary to remember the age and individual characteristics of the person based on his diagnostic data, and take into account the results of speech development.
This information is included in the soap note template.
The subjective section contains information about the actual state of the patient. Ideally, this part of the notes should be as true to life as possible. What does it mean?
The doctor keeps track of the complaints and speech issues of the patient, as well as other significant information about the patient. He must report only the words of the clients, but not his own thoughts and ideas. It’s not the time for it.
The first priority is to take stock of symptoms and make up a potential and theoretical treatment plan (but not to put it down). Try to use direct speech.
More frequently, the clients of speech pathologists are children, accompanied by their parents. So, sometimes you listen to both of them.
Medesk helps automate scheduling and record-keeping, allowing you to recreate an individual approach to each patient, providing them with maximum attention.
For example, you can mention: