Browsing by Author "Rapeli, Liisa"

Aims. As the amount of tracheostomized patients is increasing the clinical caseload of speech and language therapists (SLT) working with this population is expanding. International surveys show that many SLTs have poor clinical confidence while working with this population, many confront problems in their work environment what comes to team work and most SLTs believe additional training in tracheostomy management would be beneficial. There are some inconsistencies and variation in tracheostomy management among SLTs. The aim of this study was to explore the assessment and rehabilitation patterns of clinicians working with tracheostomized people as well as the role of SLTs managing this population in Finland. Clinical training preparing to work with this population was also examined. Methods. An electronic survey of University of Helsinki was sent to 1163 SLTs via the Finnish Association of Speech Therapists. The whole questionnaire was directed only to the SLTs having previous work experience with at least one patient with a tracheostomy. 61 SLTs completed the survey. Frequencies and percentages were computed to analyze the data quantitatively. Also Kruskall–Wallis -test was applied. Questions relating to clinical activities were classified according to the level of clinical consensus. The answers to the open questions were analysed qualitatively by grouping the answers according to the themes arising from the data. Results and conclusions. The respondents had little experience on assessment and rehabilitation of tracheostomized patients. Most referrals were received for dysphagia and communication assessment. SLTs found their role in tracheostomy management often poorly defined. Patients were usually assessed and rehabilitated as a team and teamwork was found important and practical. The respondents had had only a little education and practical training on tracheostomy management. Most SLTs felt they needed more training on assessment and rehabilitation of patients with a tracheostomy. The clinical confidence of SLTs working with this population varied. National guidelines in tracheostomy management for speech and language therapists would help to define the role of SLTs in this field. Additional training would help to improve clinical confidence of SLTs working with this population.