Speech and Language Pathology Practice and Professional Approach 1, 3 credits

For admission to semester 4, the student may have a maximum of 15 credits remaining from preceding semesters in The Study Programme in Speech and Language Pathology.

Students who fail the clinical training (VFU) / equivalent as a result of demonstrating such a serious lack of knowledge, skills or attitudes that patient safety or patient confidence in healthcare is at risk, is qualified to a new opportunity only when the action plan has been established and completed.

On completion of the course the student is expected to be able to:

• show awareness of attitude, respiration, relaxation, articulation and voice function in practical exercises and describe the meaning of these concepts
• in practical exercises use a well functioning voice technique
• instruct relaxation-, respiration- and voice exercises and describe the aims of these at a general level
• describe the relationship between voice, personality and body language
• use the professional role as speech and language pathologist in different fictitious patient meetings
• after supervision carry out a first visit of a child, youth or adult with voice disorder containing medical history taking, description of voice function and treatment procedure, advices regarding voice ergonomics and suggest intervention
• after supervision based on current theory/evidence and regarding physical impairment, restriction of activity and limitation of participation, plan, formulate objectives, carry out, evaluate and document treatment of a child, youth or adult with a voice disorder
• describe and carry out cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)

Training of the own voice and the own speech. Posture, respiration, relaxation, articulation and voice function in practical exercises and training of the speech and language pathologist role through interactive learning. The course also includes evaluation, assessment, analysis, treatment, interventions and documentation within the area of voice disorders. In the course, discussions and reflections about professional attitude are also included.

The placement includes auscultations and own patient care under supervision and is given in small groups of 2-6 students and seminars, workshop and group work.

All activities during the clinical placement and other teaching activities are compulsory unless otherwise stated in the course schedule.

In case of absence from a compulsory teaching activity, the student is responsible for contacting the course coordinator for complementary assignment. The course coordinator decides whether, and if so how, absence from compulsory course elements can be made up. Study results cannot be reported until the student has participated in compulsory course elements or compensated for any absence in accordance with instructions from the course coordinator. Absence from a compulsory teaching activity can result in that the student can not make up for the session until next time the course be given.

Written examination of Training of the own voice and the own speech. Clinical placement has been given a passing grade.

For a pass grade in the clinical/practical education (placement), the following is required, based on a specific assessment: satisfactory attendance, completion of records, application of knowledge and skills according to the expected learning outcomes and the ability to cooperate. At the assessment, a professional attitude in contact with the patient/care-taker, relative and other staff is also taken into account. This assessment is made in relation to the semester the student is attending

Students who do not pass the clinical placement have the right to re-take the specific module once. After two failed placement-periods of the same unit, the student can apply for an exemption in order to take the unit once more.

The examiner may, with immediate effect, interrupt a student's clinical placement (or equivalent) if the student demonstrates such serious deficiencies in knowledge, skills or attitude that patient safety or patient confidence in healthcare is at risk. If a clinical placement is interrupted in this way the student is deemed to have failed that element and to have used up one clinical placement opportunity. In such cases, an individual action plan should be set up, where it is made clear which activities and examinations are required before the student is given the possibility to participate in new placement on this course.

Examination can be carried out according to an earlier literature list during a period of one year after the date of a renewal of the literature list. Examination will be provided during a period of two years after a possible closing of the course

Course evaluation will be carried out according to the guidelines established by the Board of Higher Education.