Delegation models in dysphagia management: Current policy, clinical perceptions and practice patterns

Area of Science:

• Speech-language pathology
• Healthcare workforce development
• Clinical governance

Background:

• Allied Health Assistants (AHAs) offer a viable workforce solution in speech-language pathology (SLP).
• Limited data exists on the delegation of AHAs specifically for dysphagia management.
• Understanding current practices and policies is crucial for effective implementation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the nature of AHA delegation in dysphagia management.
• To synthesize findings from policy documents and current clinical practices.
• To identify gaps in governance and training for AHA delegation in dysphagia.

Main Methods:

• Mixed-methods design combining document analysis and surveys.
• Reviewed 13 policy documents related to AHA delegation.
• Surveyed 44 SLP managers on existing delegation models.

Main Results:

• Policy and practice show congruence regarding AHA delegation in dysphagia.
• Despite policy support, only 26% of managers frequently utilized AHA delegation for dysphagia.
• AHA training is supported but lacks specific detail; governance and capability assessment need standardization.

Conclusions:

• AHA delegation in dysphagia management is policy-supported and in practice.
• Further research is required to define governance and training protocols.
• Systematic evaluation of safety and benefits of AHA delegation models is needed.