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Background: Despite emerging evidence of validity and reliability, speech and language therapists' (SLT) uptake of telehealth has been limited and barriers remain to the effective and confident use of this service model. The COVID‐19 pandemic has caused significant disruption to essential health services, including speech and language therapy assessment and intervention, meaning that telehealth must now be considered as part of the suite of service delivery options for all clinicians. Aims: To explore the perceived barriers and facilitators of telehealth among community paediatric SLTs before and after their use of a telehealth platform with an embedded standardised assessment tool. Methods & Procedures: Mixed‐methods questionnaires were developed for this study and completed by SLTs before and after the 3‐month trial of the telehealth platform. A total of 38 SLTs completed the pre‐trial questionnaire and training in the use of telehealth platform (Coviu), including instruction in using a standardised, norm referenced language test as an integrated tool within the Coviu platform. A total of 27 SLTs went on to use the telehealth platform, and 25 of these completed the post‐trial questionnaire on which subsequent qualitative and quantitative analysis was completed. Outcomes & Results: Prior to using the platform, perceived barriers included technology issues, limited clinician experience and concerns around parent acceptance of the service. Potential facilitators included access to appropriate platforms, tools and resources as well as increased clinician confidence with telehealth. Following the trial, barriers to telehealth use continued to include technology barriers, particularly internet stability, and client issues, including suitability for telehealth services. Facilitators for future telehealth use included access to appropriate platforms for telehealth, stable and appropriate internet connectivity, and more extensive telehealth resources for both assessment and intervention for this mode of service delivery. Conclusions & Implications: This study provides insights into the perceptions of the barriers and facilitating factors for telehealth use among community‐based SLTs. This information will be useful in developing strategies to promote uptake and effective and confident use of telehealth as a mode of service delivery beyond the pandemic. What this paper adds: What is already known on the subject: Research about telehealth has shown that it is a reliable and valid way of delivering speech pathology services, yet many clinicians have been wary of its use and uptake of telehealth prior to COVID‐19 had been limited. We wanted to know what SLTs thought about using telehealth before and after participating in a 3‐month trial of a telehealth platform with an embedded formal language assessment. What this study adds to existing knowledge: This study indicates that technology issues including internet stability are a barrier to effective telehealth services, but that appropriate telehealth platforms, resources and experience are facilitators of uptake and successful use of telehealth. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work?: This information will be useful in developing strategies to promote uptake and effective and confident use of telehealth as a mode of service delivery for children during and beyond the pandemic, including those isolated by geographical or transport barriers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Access to treatments for mood disorders may pose a challenge to individuals with compromised communication ability. Speech–language pathologists (SLPs) have previously reported that their clients with aphasia decline formal psychological support; however, their role in their clients' help‐seeking has not been explored. Aims: To investigate SLPs' perspectives on how they currently support help‐seeking for mood problems in people with aphasia and factors they perceive to be impacting service uptake. Methods & Procedures: A qualitative interview study was conducted. SLPs in Australia working with people with aphasia in a clinical role were recruited. Transcripts of the interviews were subject to qualitative analysis to identify relevant themes. Outcomes & Results: Eighteen interviews were conducted. One overarching theme and three sub‐themes were identified as central to SLPs' experience. The overarching theme was of a 'double whammy' impact on help‐seeking: people with aphasia were subject to universal barriers associated with seeking help as well as additional barriers imposed by compromised communication. Three themes contributed to the overarching theme: (1) SLPs' understanding of barriers and facilitators to patients with aphasia seeking help; (2) the role of the SLP as a skilled helper for mood management; and (3) mood and communication as competing rehabilitation priorities. Conclusions & Implications: SLPs report both universal barriers to help‐seeking and those specific to their clients with aphasia and attempts to overcome these; however, there appears to be a dearth of accessible mental health services for people with aphasia known to SLPs, including psychological/counselling professionals who are skilled in communicating with people with aphasia. Health professionals working within and across post‐stroke and mental health services should recognize that people with post‐stroke aphasia are susceptible to a decline in mental health, are amenable to formal (and tailored) psychological support, and can be supported to seek help. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]