Research ecosystems: Harnessing the future for clinician-researchers in the acute care setting

Engaging with research evidence is a core pillar of speech-language pathology practice. The importance of active engagement in research is stated as a fundamental requirement by key national and international professional organizations. Research engagement is multifaceted and can involve elements across a continuum that ranges from locating and interpreting relevant research for practice, to developing and leading programs of research. Over the past 15 years there has been an increased focus on the roles, career pathways and impacts of clinician-researchers. This opinion piece aims to describe current evidence around speech-language pathologist (SLP) clinician-researchers within the acute care setting.