Counselling in speech-language pathology: Self-efficacy, clinical competencies, and professional development needs in Croatia

This study investigated counselling practices among speech-language pathologists in Croatia, examining the frequency and timing of counselling, perceived efficacy of counselling skills and clinical competence, attitudes towards speech-language pathologist counselling, and relationships between counselling skills and clinical competencies. Using a cross-sectional design, a total of 113 speech-language pathologists completed an online survey consisting of demographic information, questions about counselling attitudes, the Self-Efficacy Measurement Tool for Counselling in Speech-Language Pathology questionnaire, and a clinical competencies questionnaire. Data were analysed using non-parametric statistics and multiple regression analysis. Despite rating their counselling skills highly, the majority of participants expressed the need for additional counselling training. They expressed the strongest confidence in exploration and action skills but lower confidence in emotional support and insight skills. Counselling skills strongly correlated with general clinical competencies. Emotional support, session management, and action skills explained 62% of the variance in general clinical competencies. Speech-language pathologists with additional counselling training and longer professional experience demonstrated higher self-efficacy in both counselling and clinical skills. The findings highlight the essential role of counselling in speech-language pathology practice, despite the lack of formal training of Croatian professionals. Results suggest a need for mandatory counselling courses in graduate speech-language pathology programmes.

本研究针对克罗地亚的言语语言病理师（speech-language pathologists）咨询实践展开调研，考察了咨询行为的发生频率与时机、咨询技能与临床胜任力的感知效能、对言语语言病理师咨询工作的态度，以及咨询技能与临床胜任力之间的关联。本研究采用横断面研究设计，共招募113名言语语言病理师参与在线问卷调查，问卷内容涵盖人口统计学信息、咨询态度相关问题、《言语语言病理学咨询自我效能量表（Self-Efficacy Measurement Tool for Counselling in Speech-Language Pathology）》以及临床胜任力量表。研究采用非参数统计与多元回归分析对数据进行分析。尽管多数参与者对自身的咨询技能评分较高，但他们均表示需要额外接受咨询相关培训。参与者对探索与行动技能的信心最强，而对情绪支持与洞察技能的信心相对较弱。咨询技能与总体临床胜任力呈显著正相关。情绪支持、会谈管理与行动技能可解释总体临床胜任力62%的变异量。接受过额外咨询培训且从业年限更长的言语语言病理师，其咨询技能与临床技能的自我效能感均更高。研究结果凸显了咨询在言语语言病理实践中的核心作用，尽管克罗地亚相关从业者尚未接受过正规的咨询培训。研究结果同时表明，需在言语语言病理学研究生培养方案中增设强制必修的咨询课程。