I’ve been finding new motivation to acquire new, evidence-based material for work. The “Collective” of people who simply want to know more and do better has been good for me as a mentor because I am constantly holding other and myself to a high standard. My patients are able to reach their goals more efficiently and with less time spent in the clinic – a win-win because I can help more people and am very efficient with use of their time. Need 3x/week for 4 weeks? Check! Need 5x/week for 3 weeks? Check! Therapy won’t make a difference? Referral to appropriate source sent!  While I am a mentor, I’ve had the chance to ask questions of the group and work with other mentors on situations with my patients. I also learn a lot from reading the replies to other members’ posts.

I’m a brand new CF SLP. I got a job at an awesome outpatient clinic seeing both peds and adults which was TERRIFYING and exciting (mostly terrifying) but I learned about this site from my former internship supervisor and for that. With so many disorders and age groups, it was hard to wrap my head around what to dig into first regarding research. I especially needed help with my adult population because my grad school wasn’t heavily medically based. The Med SLP Collective made my life SO MUCH EASIER with all of the case study posts on FB, peer reviewed handouts on the page, and all of the amazing CEUs available! The MedSLP Collective has given me the confidence I need to fight for my patients as a new SLP and do things that weren’t done before, to get out of my comfort zone. One of the things I’ve started at my clinic is a weekly group therapy session for some of my adults with aphasia. I reached out on the MedSLP Collective page, got some great feedback and resources, and it’s worked out great!!! Several of my patients were so so discouraged and thought they were alone. The stress of that was hindering them from making as much progress as they could’ve been making. Participating in group therapy has made such a positive impact on them. They’ve been more motivated and determined to succeed, and they know there are others going through the same thing. It’s been a game changer for each of them, and one of my patients actually just started work again last week. The mentors have been a tremendous help in so many ways. Other than the group therapy thing, I’m constantly reading posts that others put on FB along with the mentors comments. Since I have such a diverse caseload I almost always find ways to apply what I learn to my own patients. I have a lot of patients with voice disorders and didn’t have much experience in this area, so the mentors have been a huge help to me as I’ve navigated through learning all of the best ways of assessment and treatment with this population!

I definitely lacked confidence prior to joining the Collective. I was just out of my CFY with some experience in a SNF but wasn't sure if I was correct in everything I was doing. Now, with all the resources, demonstration videos, and webinars the Collective has shared with me I am much more confident. The Collective has helped me with my thirst for knowledge. I love getting new materials and information on assessment or therapy ideas. While we do contribute in the Collective to say what we'd like to learn, we don't always know what's coming out next! For me, that enhances my curiosity and has expanded my knowledge base. The Collective has helped me improve my therapy across all types of patients. For instance, I am so interested in dysphagia that sometimes it can pull my focus. The Collective refocuses me and helps me to learn about all areas since it comes out with new information each week that is not just about dysphagia. Then all of my patients, particularly those who are not dysphagia patients, benefit from my knowledge! The mentors can help guide you through a specific patient which is an amazing thing. You can get a same day answer and feel confident in your approach.

Before the MedSLP Collective I felt I wasn’t up to date on EBP and doing the same thing in my treatments. I am the only SLP in my building so it was hard to find professionals to bounce ideas off of as well. The MedSLP Collective has improved my overall knowledge and treatment methods. I feel more confident in myself as a SLP! The Collective has allowed access to information and support from others. Reading everyone’s questions and wins has motivated me to be the best SLP I can be every day. The mentors are amazing at referencing to different resources and giving realistic advice on a variety of topics.

Before joining the Collective, I felt frustrated that our field did not seem to have a common set of practice standards. I felt that myself and others were sort of wading through the days and not having a consensus about what we should be doing, like PT and OT seemed to enjoy. I feel like the Collective has given me unison with other SLP's. It has changed and shaped my career, making me not only more confident in my abilities, but giving me solidarity with my SLP colleagues. The greatest gain is for my patients in gaining the EBP they deserve! I have changed out of a work environment that did not deserve me and the Collective gave me the courage to make that change. This was huge for me. In my new position, I am working on establishing a FEES program with policies and procedures- a huge undertaking. I am also working on building a strong speech program in a rural hospital. Our hospital is in a struggle against a larger hospital and the battle is to see which one will survive this turbulent healthcare environment. This has helped my patients gain access to higher quality care than has traditionally only been available to them at least 2 hours away.

Before the MedSLP Collective I had 0 confidence in what I was doing. I was evaluating patients and treating them based on how I was taught to treat them by my supervisor. I didn’t know the “why” for what I was having my patients do during therapy, and I sure as heck didn’t know if what I was doing was EBP. Fast forward to about 7 months of being in the Collective and the way I evaluate and treat patients has drastically changed. There have been so many big things that I have been able to accomplish with the MedSLP Collective. It has helped to successfully implement a FFWP in our acute inpatient rehab program, start the process for my hospital (and all other hospitals in our health system) to transition to IDDSI, and to convince my manager to get our SLPs trained in MBSImp! However, the biggest thing that I am most proud of is getting my coworkers on board with is to not modify patient diets, specifically liquids, without an instrumental assessment. Previously, myself and my coworkers were the SLPs that would recommend thickened liquids for a a patient without an instrumental assessment because the s/s of aspiration were “overt.” Without the education of the Collective, I would still be doing that. I now know why that was wrong and that I need to do better and be better for our patients. I am now able to help patients to achieve their goals in the most effective ways possible. I take some time each day to read Facebook posts from others so that I can learn from their experiences and see what the mentors recommend. If I have a question come up regarding one of my patients, I’m able to quickly search the group and have so far been able to find and answer from someone else’s post who had the same question! The Facebook group has been a wonderful tool for me to get answers quickly that I know are well thought out and evidence based.

Prior to the MedSLP Collective, I found myself spending an inordinate amount of time trying to find the latest research related to the challenge-of-the-day, only to find myself doubting my knowledge. I wasn't sure if the research I found was appropriate, most up to date, or if there were other studies that negated what I had found. I definitely lacked confidence! The MedSLP Collective has boosted my confidence! It has also motivated me to not only be a better clinician, but encourage my colleagues to step up their game, as well! I recruited one colleague to join MedSLP Collective (she even created an incredible binder with all of the handouts/in-services) and another on the waiting list. Because my confidence is higher, I present myself to my patient in a way that increases their trust in me. I also felt more confident to professionally challenge physicians when they presented me with road blocks in my plan of care. The mentors quick responses and the helpful evidence-based resources they provide help me provide best practice more efficiently! I wasn't taking hours to google search articles and doubting myself. Ultimately, more patients received evidence based practice with improved confidence in a shorter period of time.

Before the MedSLP Collective I was really questioning my career choice. I felt like I had no idea about what I had gotten myself into. This group has helped me be more confident in my skills as a SLP. It’s helped me provide much needed resources to my patients and it’s helped me become a better SLP over all. It’s helped make [my patient's] goals more functional and centered around what they want. The [mentors] helped put me in contact with other SLPs that are in my area to answer my questions and assist me

[Before the MedSLP Collective] I felt confident in certain areas but not with complex unfamiliar etiologies. The MedSLP Collective has provided me with in-depth knowledge in a variety of areas and it makes looking for the most up to date research so easy! I am now more confident with my selection of interventions and have a broad knowledge base. The mentors in the Facebook group have been like big sisters in the SLP sorority life.

Before the Collective, I struggled with EBP and keeping up with the research. I took free CEU courses that were lack luster and did not help me with knowing how to treat my patients. This transcribed into not being confident with treatment plans and underserving my patients. [The MedSLP Collective has helped me] slowly re-gain confidence in my clinical skills. I have a renewed drive that has helped me push for updated treatment materials, instrumental swallowing exams, and better outcomes for my patients. The Collective has gotten me excited about being an SLP again and reminded me about the impact we can have on our patients. I have a new drive to educate staff, patients, and even graduate students on all the amazing things SLPs can do. I love that I can provide specific case examples [in the private facebook group or forum] and get an immediate response to a challenging case. Most SLPs do not have a ton of SLP coworkers or supervisors to help them with their clinical decision making.

I didn't have time to gain as much knowledge concerning EBP, before the [MedSLP] Collective I was lucky to read 1-2 articles a week. [The MedSLP Collective helped me accomplish presenting my case to begin a FEES program at my hospital and advocate for the use of TIMS in our radiology dept (we used a horrible DVD recorder at way less frames per second than needed), and I was approved for both!! The information [in the Collective] helped me take action toward my goals and not just think about my “to-do” list. It also helps to see that others have done it and listen to some of the problems they've run into.

I spent quite a while working in the schools so I could have a schedule that lined up with my kids. While I have loved my years in the schools and the retirement I have built up there, I have always wanted to give the medical side a try. Neuro has always fascinated me but if I'm being totally honest, dysphagia scared me to death! I still remember being in grad school asking how I was supposed to tell what was going on based on just feeling with my hand on a patient's throat. The answer I got EVERY SINGLE TIME was that the more experience I got, I would just know. This always bugged me and was in the back of my mind as I began to explore making a change. 

Somehow I stumbled on the Swallow Your Pride podcast which led me to the FB group “Med SLP Newbies.” In that group I learned about the Medical SLP Collective (formally the Medical SLP Solution) and joined right from the beginning. It was from those groups and the SYP podcast that I was able to create a continuing education wish list that I started chipping away at every spare minute I had. I would not have discovered all the fascinating courses without your creations Theresa. And all that knowledge gave me the confidence to make the leap and the assurance that all those years ago I was right — you can't evaluate swallow function just by feeling the throat! If that wasn't enough, when I finally started my new medical position, I had somewhere to turn to for answers without judgment and feeling like I'm bugging the only other SLP in my company with yet another question.

Every time I have a patient with a history I haven't encountered yet, I turn to the Med SLP Collective and there is a resource and/or handout that is perfect for my needs! And often there is even a webinar (for ASHA CEUs) to address the topic as well. I could not have transitioned to the medical side (and loved the process of doing so!) without the Medical SLP Collective! I am so happy with what I am doing now and I owe that success and my confidence to you! Thank you!!

Since I’m more confident and have expanded my knowledge-base, I’ve been able to better serve my patients. I was able to advocate to get a mobile FEES contract in my facility which has drastically improved my ability to treat dysphagia in a science-driven manner and my patients see results much quicker. I have the respect of the nurses, doctors, and my DOR because I can explain my clinical decisions in an effective and clear manner which I definitely attribute to the research I’ve been exposed to since joining MedSLP Collective.

There are so many like-minded people in this Collective who truly strive to do their best and help those around them. Motivation and empowerment [help] to make small changes with big impacts on quality of patient care.  [I love] the camaraderie between everyone [I’ve] met. No cliques, no exclusions from conversations. Everyone seems genuinely interested in meeting new people. The quality of content the mentors provide is amazing.”

“[I love the Collective because] I have met like-minded clinicians who are intelligent, and yet still face workplace barriers and are motivated to improve quality of care.”

“[Three takeaways I have from the Collective are] other SLPs are out there struggling just like me – I’m not alone! You can success when faced with challenge at your workplace/with your caseload, if you work at it. How to work smarter – improved workflow and documentation.”

“[The Collective has taught me about] gathering information on best practices for dysphagia and has helped me realize that we are all in this together and want to do better.”

“[The Collective has helped me] learn about imaging and interpretation of MRIs and functional applications of myofascial release for head and neck cancer. Everyone can learn from each other – even the mentors!”

“I visit the Collective site AT LEAST once per day. Every time I get a new patient, or I need a resource for staff/family, I go to the Collective. If I can’t find what I need there, I go to the Facebook group. It’s such an amazing feeling knowing that I can ask a question and get a response (usually within 5 minutes) from people who seriously know the [information.] I am using the resources from the Collective and the Facebook group to do the best work I can during my CF year AND to make sure I get my dream job when it’s over.”