Many Speech-Language & Audiology Canada (SAC) members and associates are facing professional, financial and personal challenges associated with the rapidly changing COVID-19 pandemic. 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:
Below are some resources to help guide clinical practice and telepractice during this pandemic.
SAC Official Statements
Easing Restrictions
As parts of Canada begin easing COVID-19 restrictions, Speech-Language & Audiology Canada (SAC) members and associates who are not currently providing in-person services may wish to prepare for a return to the workplace by reviewing the Canadian Interorganizational Group for Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Infection Prevention and Control Guidelines. We also recommend that SAC members and associates familiarize themselves with infection prevention and control guidance provided by their regulatory body, as well as applicable provincial/territorial public health agencies.
Clinical Practice Guidelines
Infection Prevention & Control
- SAC has gathered infection prevention and control resources to assist members and associates in protecting their health and safety, and that of their patients/clients.
- Infection Prevention and Control Resources for S-LPs in Healthcare Settings (updated May 25, 2020)
- Infection Prevention and Control Resources for Audiologists (updated June 2020).
- Update on Clear Masks (updated October 7, 2020)
- New PPE Matchmaking Portal (updated June 22, 2020)
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SAC has developed a new info sheet to highlight the increased risk of developing voice disorders in the COVID-19 workplace. (updated October 8, 2020)
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SAC has developed a new info sheet on the impact of masks on communication and what members of the public can do to improve communication when wearing a mask. (updated August 21, 2020)
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The Canadian Coalition for Adult Hearing Health (CCAHH) has prepared a tip sheet for healthcare providers communicating with patients with hearing loss (updated April 28, 2020).
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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 20, 2020).
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The Ida Institute along with their partnering patient organizations launched a resource with advice for communicating when using face masks. The resource is based on content developed by the Danish Association of the Hard of Hearing and is endorsed by Ida partners who have collaborated to adapt the content for an international audience.
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A US collaborative resource developed by the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Open Arms Children’s Health and Little Ears Hearing Center includes information on masks, learning accommodations and technological supports.
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 April 23, 2020).
Telepractice
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SAC has put together a webinar series focused solely on telepractice. The webpage features upcoming SAC webinars and past webcasts from the series, as well as one filmed webinar from OSLA (updated April 24, 2020).
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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 29, 2020).
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SAC has compiled additional audiology focused resources to assist those providing telehealth to people who are hard of hearing (updated April 24, 2020).
- SAC has complied additional speech-language pathology focused resources to assist those providing telehealth services.
Extended Health Insurance Benefits (including information on Telepractice)
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SAC continues to work with the Federal Healthcare Partnership (FHP) to provide you with updates on the provision of audiology services including telepractice (updated May 4, 2020).
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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).
- Expanding access to the Canada Emergency Response Benefit and proposing a new wage boost for essential workers (April 15)
- Public Health Agency of Canada
- Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan
- Canada Emergency Response Benefit
- The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy
- Letter to Neil Parmenter, President & CEO, Canadian Bankers Association
- Letter to the Hon. Patty Hajdu, Minister of Health and Dr. Theresa Tam, Chief Public Health Officer
- Letter to the Hon. William Francis Morneau, Minister of Finance
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).
- COVID-19 FAQ’s (updated April 3, 2020).
- Webinar: COVID-19: Considerations for Financial Management, Wellbeing & Delivering Services as a Healthcare Professional during the Pandemic
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FROM BMS
- Considerations When Resuming Practice
- Waivers of Liability
- COVID-19: Virtual Health Care Services Ensuring Continuity of Care
- Template for Consent to Use Electronic Communications to Provide Telehealth Services
- Crisis Management During the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Ethical Issues for Regulated Health Professions in the era of COVID-19
- Webcast: COVID-19: Telehealth, Liability & Business Insurance Considerations (2020)
- COVID-19: Workplace Safety and Rights of Allied Health Professionals to Refuse Work
- Business Continuity Planning during COVID-19: What to do if you have no plan or if your plan isn’t working
- Risk Management During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Checklist to Recovery
- Parting Ways - The Right Way: Terminating the Client Relationship
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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Pathways To Resilience: Strategies for a World in Upheaval Webinar Series (Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists)
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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)
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Taking Care of Your Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic (Government of Canada)
PLEASE NOTE: SAC staff are currently working remotely and are available by email. SAC will continue to provide services to members and associates.