Communication is Connection: Increasing Therapeutic Communication for Improved Pediatric Outpatient Service

Abstract

An outpatient pediatric facility specializing in speech and occupational therapy services presented with the need to improve client/caregiver communication and participation as noted by minimal client goal attainment rates within a six month period. A literature review was completed to support the use of a virtual platform for therapeutic use intended to improve overall therapeutic service delivery and therapeutic carry over within the natural environment of the client. The capstone student collaborated with both facilities to create and utilize a custom virtual platform designed for intuitive communication with clients/caregivers, collaboration within the therapeutic process, resource/HEP sharing, and participation improvements. Therapists were instructed on the virtual platform uses were asked to utilize the virtual platform with at least two attending clients and their caregivers for the purposes of data collection regarding perceptions in communication, collaboration, and resource sharing. Pre and post platform interviews/surveys were collected and gathered therapist perceptions about communication and client/ caregiver participation improvements along with the supportive platform features of that promoted positive or negative changes. Therapists expressed that the use of the virtual platform displayed initial improvements regarding client/caregiver connection and participation. Additionally, the virtual platform supported interprofessional collaborations as reported by the therapist. Following the seven-week trial period, the virtual platform was added to the on-boarding process of the facility for continued use of the virtual platform upon the conclusion of the capstone project