An integrative review of health literacy demands of speech pathology reports on people with communication disability : implications for inclusive practices

Background: There is urgent need for evidence about the content, formats, and styles of written documentation that clinicians should be using to ensure best client outcomes. To have more choice and control over goal setting and more engagement in their supports, people with communication disability and their families need to fully understand the information presented in speech pathology reports. Documentation given to them and their NDIS planners should therefore be written in a way that facilitates everyone’s ability to understand and act on the information. Aim(s): The aim of this paper is to: (a) identify the health literacy demands of written reports and other documents that speech pathologists give to their clients, and (b) present a critical appraisal of the available evidence on strategies to increase usability and accessibility of documents. Method: An integrative review of literature focused on increasing the accessibility of written speech pathology reports was conducted and an analysis of both qualitative and quantitative research undertaken. Result(s): It is not yet clear that practices aimed at increasing accessibility of written information are effective in improving comprehension by people with communication disability or lay readers. Further, despite the available resources, there is little evidence that clinicians’ report-writing styles have changed to become more accessible. Conclusion: The results of this integrative review will be discussed in relation to implications for policy, legislation, and clinical practice. Gaps in the evidence, directions for future research, and implications for speech pathologists writing reports for the NDIS will be presented alongside strategies to support change in practice