Practice Tutor (On-Site Speech & Language Therapy Clinic) 
Tel:
  353-91-495763 
Email:  margaret.rodden@universityofgalway.ie  / margaret.rodden@hse.ie

Background and Qualifications

In September 2009, Margaret joined the Speech and Language Therapy programme as a Practice / Clinical Tutor.  Previous to this position, she held a number of positions with the HSE, primary care (paediatric) and acute hospital (adults). Her specialist area of interest is in the area of Dysphonia / Voice. In addition, she co-ordinates the treatment of patients with Parkinson's disease in Galway City and County.

She obtained a B.Sc. (Hon) in Remedial Linguistics from Trinity College Dublin in 1985. She completed the H.Dip. in Clinical Education in NUI Galway in 2011. In 2012, she completed a Master of Health Science in Clinical Teaching. Margaret also completed a postgraduate course in Adult Acquired Dysphagia.

Responsibilities

Margaret has responsibility for the co-ordination of the HSE / NUIG on-site Speech and Language Therapy Clinic. She is actively involved in preparing Speech and Language Therapists in training for their placements in the on-site clinic and their outreach clinics through group and individual tutorials. She works closely with the Practice Education Co-ordinator in NUIG and liaises with the Practice Educators prior to and during the Speech and Language Therapists in training clinical placements. Margaret manages the services for clients with Dysphonia in the HSE West area and runs a weekly Voice clinic in conjunction with the third year Speech and Language Therapists in training.

Clinical Teaching

Margaret teaches the students in the on-site clinic and supports HSE therapists working with students. In addition, she contributes to the discipline teaching. She is actively involved in the organising of clinical examinations.

Placements

Margaret works collaboratively with the Practice Education Co-ordinator in organising and supporting students on placement.

  • Year 2 (Semester 1): On-site clinic group therapy sessions
  • Year 2 (Semester 2): PCCC placement
  • Year 3 (Semester 1): Specialist clinics in the on-site clinic
  • Year 3 (Semester 2): Five-week block placement (Adult and Paediatric)
  • Year 4 (Semester 1): Group therapy in the on-site clinic / mentoring second year students
  • Year 4 (Semester 2): Eight-week block placement (Adult and Paediatric)

Margaret works with second and fourth year students in the on-site clinic in Semester 1. In addition, she supervises third year students in the weekly Voice Clinic and implementing a treatment programme for patients with Parkinson's Disease.

Along with the Practice Education Co-ordinator, Margaret works closely with all educators who take students on placement.

Research

Margaret's research interests are predominantly in relation to Voice and Clinical teaching / learning. Her Master's thesis involved an exploration of supervising Speech and language therapists' perceptions and experiences of using the student competency based assessment tool. She has presented her results to the current students completing the Masters in Clinical Education and at interdisciplinary educator training days. 

Margaret is currently a member of:

  • The Irish Association of Speech and Language Therapists (IASLT)
  • The Special Interest Group in Dysphonia
  • The Special Interest Group in Neurology
  • The Special Interest Group in Practice Education