What makes a caseload (un)manageable? School-based speech-language pathologists speak.
OBJECTIVE
Large caseload sizes and a shortage of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are ongoing concerns in the field of speech and language. This study was conducted to identify current mean caseload size for school-based SLPs, a threshold at which caseload size begins to be perceived as unmanageable, and variables contributing to school-based SLPs' feelings of caseload manageability.


METHODS
Approximately 2,000 public-school-based SLPs from across the country were solicited to participate in an online, Web-based survey between April and May of 2007. Of those SLPs who were contacted, 634 full-time SLPs from 49 states completed the survey. The data were evaluated using descriptive statistics and logistic regression.


RESULTS
The mean caseload size for SLPs in this study was 49 students. At the caseload range of 41-50 students, approximately 60% of the SLPs perceived their caseload size as unmanageable. Logistic regression revealed caseload size, years of experience, and extent of collaboration as significant predictors of an SLP's likelihood of feeling that his or her caseload size is manageable.


CONCLUSIONS
Caseload size continues to be an area of concern for school-based SLPs, and efforts to address this problem must continue in order to prevent long-term struggles with SLPs' dissatisfaction, shortages, and turnover. Policy, research, and clinical implications are discussed.
Katz
Lauren A
LA
Bowling Green State University, Communication Disorders, 200 Health Center Building, Bowling Green, OH 43403, USA. katzla@bgsu.edu
Maag
Abby
A
Fallon
Karen A
KA
Blenkarn
Katie
K
Smith
Megan K
MK
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D007806:Language Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D007808:Language Therapy / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012572:School Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013064:Speech Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D013070:Speech Therapy / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014481:United States; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016526:Workload / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*