A Survey of Speech-Language Pathologists' Experience With Clinical Cough Assessment

The purpose of this study was to determine if students (clinicians-intraining) and clinicians of speech-language pathology assess cough during clinical swallow evaluations. We also sought to determine if participants received background education and training regarding implementation of clinical cough assessment. Finally, we aimed to identify participant interest in a cough assessment training program.

A clinician-researcher panel developed a 20-question survey to address specific aims. The final survey was distributed via social media and a clinical dysphagia website after two phases of revision.

A percentage (84.6%) of the survey participants reported that they assess cough in clinical swallow evaluations, mainly using subjective measures. The majority of clinicians reported no background education or skilled training to implement cough assessment. Background education and training was higher for participants outside the United States, although the total sample size of that group was small. Almost all participants (97.8%) were interested in a cough training program.

Many practicing clinicians in this survey reported that they complete cough assessments, despite limited education and training to do so. However, they also reported high interest in participating in a clinical cough assessment training program, which would support the field of speech-language pathology and patients at risk of airway protective dysfunction.