Outcome measurement in speech and language therapy: a digital journey

Abstract

Background Evidencing the impact of speech and language therapy interventions is challenging. The UK’s professional body for speech and language therapists (SLTs) is supporting a consistent approach to outcome measurement and analysis using Therapy Outcome Measures (TOMs).Objective To develop a digital solution for collecting TOMs data, evaluate the impact of therapeutic interventions and explore contributing factors to outcome variation across clinical areas.Method Agile methodology was applied to software development. Organisations were recruited to provide data. Criteria were identified to exemplify outcome variability.Results A digital tool was developed. 21 organisations provided data on 16 356 individuals. Improvement in at least one domain of TOMs occurred in 77.1% of instances. Data for two clinical areas exemplify the tool’s effectiveness in highlighting the impact of speech and language therapy.Conclusion This established outcomes data set can be used to evaluate the impact of speech and language therapy, and explore variation in outcomes.