Dysphagia Care and Management in Rehabilitation: A National Survey

Dysphagia care and management may differ between countries and healthcare settings. This study aims to describe the management and care of dysphagia in rehabilitation centres and health houses across Norway. Two national surveys were developed targeting either managers or healthcare professionals. Both surveys focused on staff and client populations; screening and assessment of dysphagia; dysphagia management and interventions; staff training and education; and self-perceived quality of dysphagia care. A total of 71 managers and clinicians from 45 out of 68 identified rehabilitation centres and health houses in Norway completed the surveys. The resulting overall response rate was 72.1%. Significant differences in dysphagia care and management were identified between rehabilitation services across Norway. Rehabilitation centres and health houses often had neither a speech therapist among their staff nor had access to external healthcare professionals. Screening was most frequently performed using non-standardised water swallows and only limited data were available on non-instrumental assessments. None of the respondents reported having access to instrumental assessments. Dysphagia interventions mainly consisted of compensatory strategies, including bolus modification, with very infrequent use of rehabilitative interventions, such as swallow manoeuvres. Although almost half of all respondents perceived the overall quality of care for clients with eating and swallowing problems as good, lack of awareness of dysphagia and its symptoms, consequences and options for treatment may have influenced quality ratings. There is a need to raise awareness of dysphagia and provide training opportunities for healthcare professionals in both screening and assessment, and dysphagia care and management.