This book investigates the social construction of competence, particularly within the field of speech-language pathology. Duchan examines how notions of 'competence' are established, maintained, and sometimes challenged through discourse and practice, drawing on her extensive experience and theoretical frameworks.

The book is recognized for its critical examination of professional identity and practice within speech-language pathology. It challenges traditional views by focusing on the social and discursive construction of competence, offering a nuanced perspective on how professionals are perceived and how they perceive themselves. The work is likely to appeal to academics and practitioners interested in the sociology of professions and communication studies.