Encourage clinic-based empirical research studies. Increase opportunities for master s level clinicians to return for advanced degrees by employing flexible scheduling of classes and accepting administrative, clinical, and research projects. It is difficult to negotiate contracts for practicum placements in medical settings and to provide students with sufficient experiences in adult care. Supervision at rehabilitation and skilled nursing facilities is limited due to high turnover and part time schedules. Some sites require students to commit to longer blocks of time.
Some clinics run year round and others are on academic calendars.
In some geographic areas, it is difficult to provide students with sufficient exposure to clients from diverse backgrounds. University clinics are pressured to function more like for-profit clinics. It may be time to revisit the need and expense of initiating clinical practicum on the undergraduate level. Some practicum settings demand monetary compensation for supervisory time. Educate audiologists and speech-language pathologists to function in business environments.