Whose Job Is It? Addressing the Overlap of Speech-Language Pathologists and Occupational Therapists When Caring for People With Dementia

Abstract

Purpose This article discusses the complexities of caring for individuals with dementia with an interdisciplinary team approach. The overlap and potential conflict between speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and occupational therapists (OTs) are addressed. SLPs and OTs have potentially similar roles when caring for people with dementia, so it can be difficult to decipher whose job it is to implement similar therapy techniques. However, there are ways health care professionals can prepare themselves to work collaboratively and potentially avoid conflict among team members, such as overstepping their professional boundaries and scopes of practice. This article discusses three beneficial techniques for interprofessional collaboration: acquiring sufficient knowledge about the scopes of practice of both SLPs and OTs, developing effective communication skills, and identifying the intentions of each therapeutic technique. Conclusions There is no straightforward or universal answer to the question “Whose job is it?” when considering SLPs and OTs in caring for people with dementia. Deciding whether an SLP or an OT should implement certain aspects of therapy depends on the roles of each professional and how they can benefit the patient. Interdisciplinary team members must work together to identify how their roles interact and overlap. SLPs and OTs must have a solid knowledge base about each other's scopes of practice, develop effective communication skills, and be able to identify the intentions of their therapy. Developing these skills allows SLPs and OTs to work harmoniously in interprofessional teams.