Clinical practice patterns of speech-language pathologists for screening and identifying dysphagia

Area of Science:

• Clinical practice
• Speech-language pathology
• Dysphagia diagnostics

Background:

• Dysphagia screening is crucial for patient safety and effective treatment.
• Understanding current screening practices among speech-language pathologists (SLPs) is essential.
• Identifying factors influencing screening choices can improve evidence dissemination.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine current dysphagia screening and identification methods used by SLPs in the United States.
• To analyze the influence of setting, continuing education, and literature access on screening approaches.

Main Methods:

• A 32-question web-based survey was developed and distributed to SLPs nationwide.
• 137 clinicians completed the survey, with data analyzed using descriptive statistics and regression modeling.
• Associations between continuing education, practice experience, and screening protocols were assessed.

Main Results:

• The most common screening methods included water swallow tests (74%), subjective patient reports (66%), and trials of solids/liquids (49%).
• The Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10) was the most frequently used questionnaire (80% of users).
• Continuing education hours and evidence consumption patterns were significantly associated with chosen screening protocols (p < 0.001).

Conclusions:

• Clinician choices in dysphagia screening are influenced by contextual factors like evidence consumption and continuing education.
• Researchers should explore accessible methods for sharing evidence with clinicians.
• High-quality continuing education is vital for promoting evidence-based dysphagia screening practices.