[Functions of the speech therapist in spanish Stroke Units and their interrelation with other disciplines. A review]

Stroke Units (SU) are specialized in-hospital spaces in our Public Health system. They require multidisciplinary professional specialization and an exhaustive evaluation and treatment of patients. The aim of this study was to describe the presence and usefulness of the work performed by speech therapists in Spanish SU and to define their professional functions.

A non-systematized narrative literature review was carried out on the professional role of the speech therapist in the SUs in the last ten years. The descriptors used were: stroke AND speech therapy; stroke unit AND speech therapy. A total of twenty eight papers were extracted. The method of synthesis and summary of the data was integrative-narrative. The results were compared with international stroke care guidelines.

Great importance is given to intensive, quality and early language rehabilitation in the acute phase of stroke. There is sufficient consensus regarding the professional contribution of speech-language pathologists in language/communication intervention and associated neurogenic dysphagia. However, their competencies need to be defined and updated at the national level, which vary heterogeneously from center to center and province to province.

Most of the studies consulted take into account the professional work of speech therapists in the SU, their intervention being favorable for the overall improvement of the patient. It is necessary to refer the data in each autonomous community in Spain. In the international comparison, these professionals are already fully integrated in all the SUs.