Many Speech-Language & Audiology Canada (SAC) members and associates are facing professional, financial and personal challenges associated with the rapidly changing COVID-19 pandemic. As health care professionals, many of you are providing front-line care. SAC wishes to thank you for your commitment to your patients, clients and your profession during these most trying of times.
Members and associates may find the following resources helpful when making decisions about their professional practice in light of COVID-19. Click on the buttons below to jump to each list of resources:
SAC strongly advises that members who are registered with a provincial regulatory body follow guidance provided by their regulatory body. Below are some other resources to help guide clinical practice and telepractice during this pandemic.
Infection Prevention & Control
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Infection Prevention and Control Core Competencies for Health Care Workers: A Consensus Document (Infection and Prevention Control Canada)
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Infection and Prevention Control Guidelines (The Canadian Interorganizational Group for Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology)
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COVID-19 and Clinical Recommendations (American Academy of Audiology)
Communication Supports
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SAC has gathered communication support resources to assist members and associates in communicating with patients who may need additional support due to speech-related disabilities (updated April 6, 2020).
End of Life Care
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SAC has gathered resources on end of life care to support members and associates in communicating with patients at end of life (updated March 30, 2020).
Guidance for Speech-Language Pathologists Providing Dysphagia, Tracheostomy and Laryngectomy Management
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SAC has gathered resources that provide guidance for S-LPs providing dysphagia, tracheostomy and laryngectomy management (updated April 6, 2020).
Telepractice
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Due to increased interest in telepractice as a result of COVID-19, SAC has gathered resources for using telepractice (updated April 6, 2020).
Telepractice and Extended Health Insurance Benefits
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SAC has been actively reviewing information from some of the larger insurance companies on telepractice and extended health insurance benefits (updated April 6, 2020).
SAC has also reached out to our insurance partner, BMS for information on the impact of COVID-19 on our members and associates:
- Statement from BMS (updated March 19, 2020).
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FROM BMS
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COVID-19: Virtual Health Care Services Ensuring Continuity of Care
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Template for Consent to Use Electronic Communications to Provide Telehealth Services
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Ethical Issues for Regulated Health Professions in the era of COVID-19
SAC has gathered resources developed by the Canadian Psychology Association and other organizations to provide insight and tips on maintaining mental health during this pandemic:
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“Psychology Works” Fact Sheet: Coping with and Preventing COVID-19 (Canadian Psychological Association)
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“Psychology Works” Fact Sheet: Working from Home During COVID, With and Without Children (Canadian Psychological Association)
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Psychological Impacts of the COVID-19 (Canadian Psychological Association)
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Psychological Practice and COVID-19 (Canadian Psychological Association)
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Free Online Course for Managing Stress During COVID-19 (University of Toronto)
PLEASE NOTE: SAC staff are currently working remotely and are available by email. SAC will continue to provide services to members and associates.