Introducing advanced clinical reasoning to an adult learning disability service

Abstract

The advanced clinical reasoning approach is widely adopted in speech and language therapy practice. This article reports on the introduction of the approach across a multidisciplinary adult learning disability service and staff reports on the impact of this initiative.

Staff in the service were offered training in the approach. Staff completed pre-course questionnaires, immediate post-course evaluations of the training and questionnaires a year after initial training. Semi-structured interviews took place with three team managers a year after the training.

Staff and team managers reported that the training had a positive impact on their practice. All respondents demonstrated confidence in the use of the advanced clinical reasoning terminology and a clear understanding of the nature of duty of care and clinical risk. Enhanced knowledge about caseloads and greater confidence in managing episodes of care were reported by staff and team managers to have resulted in a more efficient and effective service.