Interview with David Jardine President, National Association Of Future Doctors of Audiology (NAFDA)

AO/Beck: Good Morning David. Thanks for visiting with me today. You're the president of NAFDA, National Association of Future Doctors of Audiology, is that right?

Jardine: Yes. I took over in January 2003, and will serve for one year in that role.

AO/Beck: Which doctoral program are you in?

Jardine: I'm at the University of Louisville, Department of Audiology in the School of Medicine.

HH/Beck: I know you have an interesting story about your formal education. Please tell me how you arrived in Louisville?

Jardine: It's a long story.....I did my undergraduate work at Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln, Nebraska. My undergraduate work was in psychology. Then I went to the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California, where I did my masters in psychology. My dissertation for my masters in psychology was based on a treatment for tinnitus that I developed. As a result of that, I became more interested in auditory disorders and perception, so instead of doing my PhD in psychology, I enrolled in a PhD program in audiology at the University of Buffalo. I was there for two years. As a PhD student, I took courses in audiology, I completed some mandatory speech hours and I was involved in a couple of research projects.

While I was at Buffalo, I became aware of NAFDA. I even had the opportunity to attend the first NAFDA convention, which was in Washington, DC, in the year 2000. I had a wonderful time at the convention. I knew very little about the Au.D. before the convention, and the convention provided me with an excellent opportunity to learn about the Au.D. Although I enjoyed research and my Ph.D. program, I realized I could more adequately pursue my interests in audiology with the Au.D. degree. I learned about the AuD program in Louisville and thought it was an outstanding program for clinical and real world experience. I applied, got accepted, and here I am, an Au.D. student at Louisville!

AO/Beck: When do you finish the program in Louisville?

Jardine: I'm in my second year at Louisville, and if all goes well, I should be finishing the program in 2005.

AO/Beck: So you're telling me you're actually 45 years old, is that right?

Jardine: Well I feel like it sometimes! No, I'm 28.

AO/Beck: Please tell me a little about your program at this time?

Jardine: Louisville has an excellent Au.D. program. I enjoy my classes as well as the variety of clinical experiences offered here. Currently, my clinical rotation is at a hospital and we work in collaboration with ENT's. We see a lot of ENT patients with a wide variety of disorders, from children through geriatrics. We also see our own patients, and offer a terrific range of services, including hearing aid fittings, cochlear implant mapping, vestibular and basic audiometric testing.

AO/Beck: David, that sounds great. Please tell me, what's going on with NAFDA these days?

Jardine: NAFDA is starting its fifth year. Our focus is on empowering future audiologists through events, programs, and member benefits. This year we developed several new committees and projects to increase our responsiveness to student interests, and to give Au.D. students a greater voice in issues of concern to their education and future.

As we grow, we want to make sure we remain responsive to our members. Currently, we have approximately 2500 members, including residential 4-year AuD students, distance learning and alumni members. The 2003 board is working hard to help the student members become successful professionals.

AO/Beck: David, can you characterize the difference in the residential and distance-ed students, as far as what they need from NAFDA?

Jardine: Distance learning students are primarily people that have been in practice for a number years. They typically have their master's degree and want to obtain their doctoral degree. Most of them are well established. Typically, they join NAFDA for the sense of community and opportunities for continuing education that NAFDA provides.

Last year I conducted a survey that went to all of the AuD students. Results indicated that residential, 4-year students were interested in having access to professionals currently working in the field. We are working on developing avenues through which our distance learning and residential members can become more interactive. Currently, we are developing a mentoring program.

AO/Beck: Early on, NAFDA took the position that NAFDA was open exclusively to Au.D. students. Is that still the case?

Jardine: It's still the case. However, one serious concern for the profession is the decreasing number of research Ph.D. students in audiology. NAFDA recognizes the needs and the importance of supporting research in audiology. Recently, we have discussed the possibility of allowing research-based PhD students to be associate members of NAFDA.

AO/Beck: David, I know NAFDA has supported their members financially, can you tell us a little about that? How does NAFDA support their members, and why is the convention so pivotal?

Jardine: In the past, NAFDA has been able to provide the NAFDA conference free of charge to students, including their hotel expenses. In the future, I hope we can support students through academic excellence scholarships, as well as leadership scholarships. We're working on that, so we'll see how that develops.

The NAFDA convention is a great opportunity to learn about the hot topics and latest technology in audiology, it's a great opportunity to develop professional and leadership skills, and to meet the current professionals and leaders in audiology. The convention provides unlimited opportunity for students that will help focus them into successful careers in audiology.

AO/Beck: Any other major issues for NAFDA?

Jardine: NAFDA has several significant projects underway. One issue that we are addressing this year involves student externships. Some states are way behind the professional developments when it comes to rules regarding externships, which has made it difficult for students to get externships in those states. Our newly developed Political Action Committee (PAC) is addressing this issue by advocating changes in the laws and regulations regarding externships. I know it's a major project but we believe NAFDA can be influential in opening up opportunities for students to pursue externships across the USA.

AO/Beck: Can you give me an example of that?

Jardine: Sure, in one state I'm familiar with, where there aren't any Au.D. programs, legislation is worded such that they require students seeking an externship to have an interim license, or even a degree. Au.D. students don't get their degree at the time of the externship, and in most cases they don't have an interim license, because they're students. Students end up having a lot of difficulty getting externships in that state. If we could change the wording, it would open up opportunities for students in that state and make it easier for everyone.

AO/Beck: David, thanks so much for your time this morning. It's a pleasure working with you and I wish you a happy and healthy year as president of NAFDA.

Jardine: Thanks Dr. Beck. I know the students and NAFDA really appreciate your support and the support of Audiology Online. Thanks for the opportunity.

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