UToronto Year 1 SLP Students in Clinical Placements, Clinical Educators and Site Coordinators
March 13, 2020
All Unit 3 Speech-Language Pathology Students, Clinical Educators and Site Coordinators -
We have been thinking of all of you during this tumultuous start to Unit 3 given the challenges presented by COVID-19.
Those of you in the school board are facing a three-week long March Break. We are hearing that many other sites will experience a reduction in caseload and possibly even a stoppage of service or dramatic changes to service delivery. The situation is dynamic and changing rapidly and continuously. We appreciate efforts many sites are making to ensure continued learning for students on clinical placement.
At the university, we are preparing to support students with remote and on-site clinical learning activities during any service disruptions. Students facing a reduction in caseload are to contact Jennifer Wadds, (jennifer.wadds@utoronto.ca) Course Instructor, for instructions on Monday, March 16, 2020 or thereafter.
Following the March Break, those students unable to return to the clinical placement site due to mandatory closure will be provided with alternate instructions by e-mail later next week.
Please note below some formal communications from the department.
Once again, our sincere thanks to all involved for your patience and perseverance.
The Clinical Education Team –
Lynn Ellwood, Jenny Wadds and Susan Wagner
Class of 2021
The directive from the University of Toronto for the management of COVID-19 is ever changing and we are doing our best to keep you posted on new developments.
Please continue to attend your clinical placements, as scheduled, if your site is continuing to provide service. We are surveying sites now and have planned simulation activities for those students who are at sites that have closed or reduced service for the next three weeks. We will continue to have you to monitor yourself appropriately.
Please do not put yourself and others at risk; if you experience even mild upper respiratory symptoms, do not present in the clinical learning environment. Contact Susan Wagner (slp.gradcoordiantor@utoronto.ca) and your Clinical Educator as soon as possible.
Message to Clinical Sites
The Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto is constantly monitoring directives related to COVID-19. Given the evolving situation we are asking all clinical sites hosting speech-language pathology students to ensure they are undertaking active screening (asking questions) and passive screening (signage) of patients for COVID-19 as well as practicing evidence-based infection control practices as per the College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario (CASLPO).
Screening
Active screening via phone and at reception areas
Screen patients for symptoms of acute respiratory illness (e.g., fever, cough, muscle aches and tiredness, difficulty breathing) before entering your clinical facility.
Passive screening
Post signage on entry to the clinical site and in reception areas for patients to self-identify if they have symptoms of acute respiratory illness (e.g., fever, cough, muscle aches and tiredness, difficulty breathing).
Keep up to date on the recommendations for preventing the spread of COVID-19 by following Toronto Public Health guidelines or call TeleHealth 1-866-797-0000.
