Registered nurses' and speech language pathologists' interprofessional collaboration: A systematic scoping review of the literature

AIMS AND OBJECTIVE: To identify the current research involving interprofessional collaboration between registered nurses (RNs) and speech language pathologists (SLPs) in healthcare and educational settings. BACKGROUND: As the complexity of healthcare increases, the need for active interprofessional collaboration between RNs and SLPs grows. A review of the literature revealed no systematic reviews currently exist about interprofessional collaborative studies between RNs and SLPs. DESIGN: Researchers conducted a scoping review using PRISMA guidelines. METHODS: Online databases were used to identify qualitative and quantitative research studies written in English and conducted between 2011 and 2020. Databases included Academic Search Ultimate, ASHA Wire, CINAHL, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, ERIC, MEDLINE, PubMed, PsycINFO, and SEMANTIC SCHOLAR. The studies needed to focus on the interprofessional collaboration between RNs and SLPs or students in these professions. FINDINGS: Of the 128 sources, only six studies met scoping review criteria. The primary focus of three studies was an evaluation of interprofessional education activities between nursing, speech language pathology, and other health profession students. One study explored interprofessional education in clinical practice between RNs and SLPs. Two studies explored interprofessional collaboration in the clinical setting. CONCLUSION: More research is needed that investigates interprofessional collaboration and practice of RNs and SLPs in the healthcare setting. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: This review identified the need for RNs and SLPs to work effectively as interprofessional teams are important in improving patient outcomes.