In the final analysis, what is the value to CSD professionals of primary prevention activities? How can clinicians accommodate primary prevention fully into their clinical practices? What are the payoffs for making primary prevention a viable product line, within your speech-language pathology or audiology practice? How will your market share be affected by your new product lines? How will the professions evolve as a result?
For myself, I needed to answer some questions about how any new product line (in this case, primary prevention) can be successful, to determine if primary prevention can be a successful adjunct to evaluation and treatment. I needed to know:
* what exactly is this prevention product?
Education activities designed to help consumers lower, or avoid risks for communication and swallowing disorders
* can I easily explain this to other people?
We can help keep you well for expressing yourself, and to eat and drink.
* how can I make the abstract idea, a concrete entity?
Identify, assemble and present activities, selected to help consumers at risk maintain wellness.
* is anyone else doing this?
(Readers? You can help answer this. Thanks.)
* if so, what are the forces that make their products marketable?
High interest 1:1, small group and large group educational events, targeted to consumers' identified needs.
* what is my market area, my niche?
(Fill in the blank, readers)
* does my market area want this?
Observe the activity near you at fitness centers, weight loss nutrition programs, smoking cessation programs, farmers' markets, etc.
* how do I find out if my market area wants this?
Ask your consumers and friends on your digital social networks, if they are curious about how to stay well and avoid cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, etc.
* how do I market this?
Use all communication channels that touch your desired market, and make it easy for consumers to reach you and HIRE you.
* what distinguishes me from other practitioners in this area?
CSD professionals can link their educational activities to clinical interventions, as consumers request services
* do I have the credentials for this work?
Speech - language pathologists and audiologists can pursue independent study and coursework in health promotion
* what will be successful outcomes of primary prevention work?
Consumers demonstrate increased knowledge in risk reduction strategies for communication and swallowing disorders
* HOW WILL I GET PAID?
Readers? Those activities not funded by grants and other external supports , might require a fee for service, to justify the time and costs incurred to teach consumers, who may never buy your clinical services.
Those of you who have a primary prevention product - how do you do it?
