TWEETCHAT: 30th Sept 2020 – Online support resources for SLTs in research

Our #ReSNetSLT tweetchat on 30th September will focus on the potential benefits of online support resources and networks for early-stage researchers.

The chat will be led by @HazelRoddam1 together with the Team @ReSNetSLT Deputies Sophie, Milly and Ellie.

We’ve selected just a few relevant resources and networks to feature here, but look forward to hearing about others during the chat.

When we post the chat transcript afterwards, we will update this blogpost with other recommended online resources and networks etc

There were two drivers for us to choose the focus for this month’s chat topic:

  • The RCSLT’s theme this month on education and practice-based lifelong learning.
  • The launch of a brand new Europe-wide network for SLTs starting/doing/completing a PhD – the “SLPhD Network“.

Read more about the new SLPhD Network on our latest blogpost.

This new network aims to provide an opportunity to connect SLTs across Europe – all on the same journey, but possibly feeling rather isolated and could benefit from having some peer-to-peer support.

This group has already held a number of small online meetings to discuss experiences, and to provide a supportive audience for individuals to rehearse their presentations etc.

Future online meetings are planned for online tutorials and advice sessions on specified research methods and processes.

If you would like to find out more, simply contact Maren Eikerling  and/or complete the online survey that is open now.

The UK-based ClinAcSLT group first started on Twitter, with the express purpose of offering peer support for SLTs who aim to influence quality improvement in practice by leading practice-based research and evaluation.

Now formally registered as a Clinical Effectiveness Network (CEN) with RCSLT  they have recently held a dynamic webinar that was supported by the RCSLT Research team.

This has sparked interest from an even wider group, and is sure to lead to more online initiatives very soon.

And do check out the recent work by Sam Burr and Sam Harding on defining the Clinical Academic role in a way that has relevance for all professional groups in healthcare.

And of course, we’ve been delighted to see the recent increase in research support networks within SLT professional associations across Europe (don’t forget that you can use the ‘translate this tweet’ feature to instantly read all these posts!).

In the same way as our #ReSNetSLT tweetchat calendar, the German-language Twitter journal club for SLTs @Logo_JC  took a summer break.

Their first autumn chat is on 13th October when they will focus on the rapid rise of telehealth, and review the implications for SLT practice.

We are also delighted to see the recent publication by DBL (soon to be fully open access).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And in our own ReSNetSLT Community of Practice we have aimed to support quality improvement by promoting increased implementation of research evidence into practice – in Speech and Language Therapy and across wider healthcare and related professional services.

We also support and lead initiatives to develop research awareness and confidence in individuals at all stages of their career, and encourage research capacity building in teams and services.

In this tweetchat we hope to explore what aspects of online resources and support networks people value the most, and to identify any gaps or additional resources that we could develop in the year ahead.

We’re looking forward to hearing your own experiences, views and advice – as always!

So here are our questions to structure the discussions in this tweetchat:

Welcome! Tell us about what online networks and resources you have accessed recently, and what you type of support you were looking for? Maybe research information? advice? peer support? mentorship and guidance?

  1. Can you share any experiences of finding research information through online networks that you have used in your own studies or clinical practice?
  2. Can you share any experiences of finding peer support that helped you in relation to your own progress in research activities?
  3. Can you share any experiences of finding mentorship or advice in research skills, or for your research career journey through online research networks?
  4. What one single factor do you/would you value most highly from online networks?