Viewpoint Telepractice 2025: Exploring Telepractice Service Delivery During COVID-19 and Beyond

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to outline the challenges and opportunities faced by speech-language pathologists (SLPs) providing telepractice services as the profession approaches the 100th anniversary of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association in 2025. As this anniversary approaches, SLPs nationwide will reflect on the profession's past, present, and future. Undoubtedly, issues concerning the COVID-19 pandemic and the use of telepractice technology during this time will be analyzed. This article will outline several challenges for the profession and clinicians to consider for the longevity of telepractice service delivery, including (a) consensus on eHelper/facilitator terminology, (b) designating a telepractice service delivery model, (c) exploring telepractice occupational culture, and (d) pursuing future directions (e.g., ethnographic applications and cultural-linguistic diversity). Conclusions: Although telepractice service delivery has existed for less than a century, there is evidence of rapid progress. Meeting the challenges ahead for SLPs using telepractice may have a lasting impact on clinical implications in the field of speech-language pathology in 2025 and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.