Semin Speech Lang 2010; 31(2): 081-089
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1252109
© Thieme Medical Publishers

Person-Centeredness, Ethics, and Stories of Risk

Robyn O'Halloran1 , 3 , Deborah Hersh1 , 2 , Ariane Laplante-Lévesque1 , Linda Worrall1
  • 1The University of Queensland, Communication Disability Centre, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Bundoora, Australia
  • 2Edith Cowan University, School of Psychology and Social Science, Bundoora, Australia
  • 3La Trobe University, School of Human Communication Sciences, Bundoora, Australia
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
02 June 2010 (online)

ABSTRACT

Storytelling can be a powerful way to reflect on the ethical issues that emerge in clinical practice. This article uses two stories by speech-language pathologists to explore how notions of person-centered practice may influence speech-language pathology practice. Then these stories are examined in relation to definitions of person-centered practice and speech pathology code of ethics to discuss the ethical issues, challenges, and risks that these stories raise. Moving toward more person-centered ways of practicing will require speech-language pathologists to be open to the real lives of their clients with communication and swallowing disabilities. It may also require speech-language pathologists to be open to their own vulnerabilities as well.

REFERENCES

0 Names of people and places have been changed.

Robyn O'HalloranPh.D. 

Lecturer, Human Communication Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences

La Trobe University, Bundoora VIC 3086, Australia

Email: R.O'Halloran@latrobe.edu.au