Reinventing Speech-Language Pathologists’ Approach to Psychosocial Barriers and Dysphagia Management

Abstract

Purpose: Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are responsible for addressing psychosocial factors, such as fear, embarrassment, disgust, anxiety, and depression, as they relate to dysphagia to ensure effective symptom management; however, SLP understanding of such responsibility remains largely unexplored.Methods: This study was conducted by sharing a survey with SLPs to 1) analyze their awareness and acknowledgment of psychosocial factors experienced by adult clients with dysphagia, and 2) pinpoint whether a need for broader education and awareness of psychosocial symptoms experienced by adults with dysphagia exists in the field of communication sciences and disorders. Qualitative and quantitative data analysis were performed to analyze the survey findings.Results: Findings regarding SLP education demonstrate that the majority of SLPs did not receive education on the topic of psychosocial factors and their relation to adults with dysphagia. The majority of SLPs actively screen their adult clients with dysphagia for psychosocial symptoms (62.96%), and the most common formal screening tool is the Eating Assessment Tool (47.17%). SLP respondents show a majority preference for increased access to information and education regarding psychosocial symptoms as they relate to adults with dysphagia (92.45%).Conclusions: The study revealed a general lack of education provided to SLPs by higher education programs, differing preferences in screening tools utilized by SLPs, and a shared desire among SLPs to have increased access to information regarding their professional role and acknowledgement of psychosocial barriers adults with dysphagia may experience.