Exploration of Speech-Language Pathologist Practice Patterns and Readiness for Implementation of a Dysphagia Rehabilitation Decision-Making Framework

Abstract

There is a paucity of dysphagia rehabilitation (DR) research, which negatively influences how SLPs approach dysphagia management. Implementation of DR best practices into clinical practice could be facilitated by using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research. Therefore, this mixed-methods study explored current SLP DR practice patterns and SLP readiness for the implementation of a DR decision-making framework.

The study used an online survey and focus group session to obtain this data. Survey results were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Focus group data was analyzed using interpretive description, thematic analysis, and the framework method.

Survey results indicated that SLPs implement various DR strategies when appropriate, but the documentation of treatment outcomes is lacking. SLPs reported being ready to implement the DR decision-making framework. However, they anticipate that multiple barriers will negatively impact their implementation efforts. As such, actions must be taken to successfully bridge the gap between research and clinical practice.