Skip to main content

Lund University Publications

LUND UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

Tracheostomy management by speech-language pathologists in Sweden

Wiberg, Sara ; Whitling, Susanna LU and Bergström, Liza (2022) In Logopedics Phoniatrics Vocology 47(3). p.146-156
Abstract

Purpose: Speech-language pathologists’ (SLPs) role in tracheostomy management is well described internationally. Surveys from Australia and the United Kingdom show high clinical consistency in SLP tracheostomy management, and that practice follows guidelines, research evidence and protocols. Swedish SLPs work with tracheostomised patients, however, the content and extent of this practice, and how it compares to international research is unknown. This study reports how SLPs in Sweden work with tracheostomised patients, investigating (a) the differences and similarities in SLPs tracheostomy management and (b) the facilitators and barriers to tracheostomy management, as reported by SLPs. Methods: A study-specific, online questionnaire was... (More)

Purpose: Speech-language pathologists’ (SLPs) role in tracheostomy management is well described internationally. Surveys from Australia and the United Kingdom show high clinical consistency in SLP tracheostomy management, and that practice follows guidelines, research evidence and protocols. Swedish SLPs work with tracheostomised patients, however, the content and extent of this practice, and how it compares to international research is unknown. This study reports how SLPs in Sweden work with tracheostomised patients, investigating (a) the differences and similarities in SLPs tracheostomy management and (b) the facilitators and barriers to tracheostomy management, as reported by SLPs. Methods: A study-specific, online questionnaire was completed by 28 SLPs who had managed tracheostomised patients during the previous year. This study was conducted in 2018, pre Covid-19 pandemic. The answers were analysed for exploratory descriptive comparison of data. Content analyses were made on answers from open-ended questions. Results: Swedish SLPs manage tracheostomised patients, both for dysphagia and communication. During this study, the use of protocols and guidelines were limited and SLPs were often not part of a tracheostomy team. Speech-language pathologists reported that the biggest challenges in tracheostomy management were in (a) collaboration with other professionals, (b) unclear roles and (c) self-perceived inexperience. Improved collaboration with other professionals and clearer roles was suggested to facilitate team tracheostomy management. Conclusions: This study provides insight into SLP tracheostomy management in Sweden, previously uncharted. Results suggest improved collaboration, further education and clinical training as beneficial for a clearer and more involved SLP role in tracheostomy management.

(Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
critical care, practice, questionnaire, speaking valve, Speech-language therapy, tracheostomy team, tracheotomy
in
Logopedics Phoniatrics Vocology
volume
47
issue
3
pages
146 - 156
publisher
Taylor & Francis
external identifiers
  • pmid:33356717
  • scopus:85098564994
ISSN
1401-5439
DOI
10.1080/14015439.2020.1847320
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
9b3b37f0-4e05-43f9-9a66-77624fd69eaa
date added to LUP
2021-01-15 14:20:16
date last changed
2024-05-02 01:39:32
@article{9b3b37f0-4e05-43f9-9a66-77624fd69eaa,
  abstract     = {{<p>Purpose: Speech-language pathologists’ (SLPs) role in tracheostomy management is well described internationally. Surveys from Australia and the United Kingdom show high clinical consistency in SLP tracheostomy management, and that practice follows guidelines, research evidence and protocols. Swedish SLPs work with tracheostomised patients, however, the content and extent of this practice, and how it compares to international research is unknown. This study reports how SLPs in Sweden work with tracheostomised patients, investigating (a) the differences and similarities in SLPs tracheostomy management and (b) the facilitators and barriers to tracheostomy management, as reported by SLPs. Methods: A study-specific, online questionnaire was completed by 28 SLPs who had managed tracheostomised patients during the previous year. This study was conducted in 2018, pre Covid-19 pandemic. The answers were analysed for exploratory descriptive comparison of data. Content analyses were made on answers from open-ended questions. Results: Swedish SLPs manage tracheostomised patients, both for dysphagia and communication. During this study, the use of protocols and guidelines were limited and SLPs were often not part of a tracheostomy team. Speech-language pathologists reported that the biggest challenges in tracheostomy management were in (a) collaboration with other professionals, (b) unclear roles and (c) self-perceived inexperience. Improved collaboration with other professionals and clearer roles was suggested to facilitate team tracheostomy management. Conclusions: This study provides insight into SLP tracheostomy management in Sweden, previously uncharted. Results suggest improved collaboration, further education and clinical training as beneficial for a clearer and more involved SLP role in tracheostomy management.</p>}},
  author       = {{Wiberg, Sara and Whitling, Susanna and Bergström, Liza}},
  issn         = {{1401-5439}},
  keywords     = {{critical care; practice; questionnaire; speaking valve; Speech-language therapy; tracheostomy team; tracheotomy}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{3}},
  pages        = {{146--156}},
  publisher    = {{Taylor & Francis}},
  series       = {{Logopedics Phoniatrics Vocology}},
  title        = {{Tracheostomy management by speech-language pathologists in Sweden}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14015439.2020.1847320}},
  doi          = {{10.1080/14015439.2020.1847320}},
  volume       = {{47}},
  year         = {{2022}},
}