Speech-language pathologists and adult palliative care in Australia

This research explored the role of Australian Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) to identify SLP experiences and practices regarding adult palliative care (PC) management. Utilising mixed methods, phase one comprised a literature scoping review of SLP practices in PC. Phase two involved a survey co...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of speech language pathology 2021-02, Vol.23 (1), p.57-69
Main Authors: Chahda, Laura, Carey, Lindsay B., Mathisen, Bernice A., Threats, Travis
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Australia
communication
dysphagia
Humans
Medical personnel
Palliative Care
Pathologists
Speech
Speech therapists
Speech-language pathologists
Speech-Language Pathology
Swallowing
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Summary:This research explored the role of Australian Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) to identify SLP experiences and practices regarding adult palliative care (PC) management. Utilising mixed methods, phase one comprised a literature scoping review of SLP practices in PC. Phase two involved a survey compiling demographic data of Australian SLPs working in adult PC. Phase three involved in-depth interviews exploring SLP experiences in PC. It was found that minimal resources or published literature existed regarding SLPs in PC, however the available literature indicated SLPs can be valuable and influential members of a PC team. Interviewed SLPs acknowledged their proficiency in end-of-life communication and swallowing, nevertheless initially they felt ill-prepared given insufficient knowledge or skills to manage palliative cases based upon their tertiary education and were poorly supported once in the field given a lack of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs). Participants also noted a lack of knowledge among medical, nursing and allied health clinicians about a SLP's contribution to PC, causing barriers for SLPs being professionally accepted within palliative environments. Recommendations included the development of improved resources specifically about SLP practice in end-of-life care, the need for greater exposure at the tertiary level of SLP palliative care practices, and CPGs for SLPs working in adult palliative care.
ISSN:1754-9507
1754-9515
DOI:10.1080/17549507.2020.1730966