Comparing Two Methods of Clinical Supervision

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare two methods of clinical supervision, remote and in-person, in group speech-language therapy in a university-based outpatient clinic, in terms of student clinical behaviors that occur with each method. Clinical supervision is an essential part of graduate education programs in speech-language pathology and clinical supervisors in university-based speech and hearing clinics often employ remote supervision. The professional literature concerning the impact of remote supervision on student clinical behaviors is limited. The studies found advantages and disadvantages to in-person and remote supervision and no real preference for one method was noted by participants. Method: This study compared student clinical behaviors, specifically percentage of interactional time, in remote versus in-person supervision conditions. Results: No significant difference was found between the two conditions. Conclusions: Both in-person and remote are valuable methods for clinical supervision of graduate students. There are strengths and weaknesses to both methods and graduate clinicians tend to present similar behaviors when being supervised via either method.