PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to identify training gaps and continuing education (CE) needs for speech-language pathologists (SLPs) in evaluating and treating children with cleft palate across and among areas of varying population density. METHOD An anonymous 35-question survey lasting approximately 10-15 min was created in Qualtrics based on a previously published study. The survey information and link were electronically distributed to American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)-certified SLPs through ASHA listservs, social media, individual-state SLP organizations, and an e-mail list of publicly listed SLPs. A total of 359 survey responses were collected. RESULTS Respondents varied in terms of age, type of certification, practice location, and clinical experience with cleft palate, with the largest percentage (46.7%) of respondents in a school-based setting. Only 28.5% reported currently feeling comfortable treating children with cleft palate. Respondents reported conventions/conferences (25.4%) and webinars (23.2%) were the most helpful resources, but DVDs were frequently not used for CE. Information from the child's cleft team (84.4%) and mentors/colleagues (70%) were considered high-quality resources. Respondents indicated information on treatment of articulation (79.2%) and resonance (78.4%) disorders as well as specific therapy techniques (76.9%) would be very helpful for clinical practice. Population density significantly influenced how respondents ranked the perceived helpfulness and quality of different resources as well as desired topics for future resources. CONCLUSIONS There is a continued need for adequate training and CE opportunities for SLPs, particularly related to assessing and treating children with cleft palate. Increased access to high-quality CE resources will be key to filling educational gaps present for SLPs, especially in areas of low-population density. SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.24891423.

中文翻译：

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言语语言病理学家评估和治疗腭裂儿童的继续教育需求：对不同人口密度地区的全国分析。


目的 本研究的目的是确定语言病理学家 （SLP） 在不同人口密度地区和不同地区之间评估和治疗腭裂儿童的培训差距和继续教育 （CE） 需求。方法 根据先前发表的研究，在 Qualtrics 中创建了一份包含大约 10-15 个问题的匿名调查，该调查持续约 10-15 分钟。调查信息和链接通过 ASHA 列表服务、社交媒体、各州 SLP 组织和公开列出的 SLP 的电子邮件列表以电子方式分发给美国言语语言听力协会 （ASHA） 认证的 SLP。共收集了 359 份调查回复。结果 受访者在年龄、认证类型、实践地点和腭裂临床经验方面存在差异，在学校环境中的受访者比例最高 （46.7%）。只有 28.5% 的人表示目前对治疗腭裂儿童感到满意。受访者表示，会议/会议 （25.4%） 和网络研讨会 （23.2%） 是最有用的资源，但 DVD 经常不用于 CE。来自儿童唇腭裂团队 （84.4%） 和导师/同事 （70%） 的信息被认为是高质量的资源。受访者表示，有关发音 （79.2%） 和共振 （78.4%） 障碍的治疗以及特定治疗技术 （76.9%） 的信息将对临床实践非常有帮助。人口密度显著影响了受访者对不同资源的感知有用性和质量以及未来资源的期望主题的排名。结论 SLP 继续需要足够的培训和 CE 机会，特别是与评估和治疗腭裂儿童相关的培训。 增加获得高质量 CE 资源的机会将是填补 SLP 存在的教育差距的关键，尤其是在人口密度低的地区。补充材料 https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.24891423。