No abstract

Understanding dysphagia care in the community setting Acknowledgements The authors wish to acknowledge the speech language pathologists who participated in this study for sharing their practices and experiences, including those who took the time to pilot the survey and provide invaluable feedback. Thanks also go to research assistant, Georgina Klokman, who assisted with data analysis.

Literature to date describing the lived experience of dysphagia has predominantly focused on the clinical populations of stroke and head and neck cancer. The current study aimed to understand the experience of people with dysphagia of varying aetiologies living at home in the community. MethodUsing a qualitative descriptive approach grounded in phenomenology, individuals with dysphagia were interviewed (n = 15) about their experiences living with and managing dysphagia at home. ResultThematic analysis revealed an overarching theme of "Journey of discovery -learning to live with dysphagia", which described the process of managing dysphagia at home. This theme was characterised by three subthemes: (1) The story of dysphagia; (2) Engaging with support networks; and (3) Limited community awareness of dysphagia. ConclusionThis study highlights a range of psychosocial impacts individuals with dysphagia living at home may experience. Participants described how managing other health conditions alongside dysphagia influenced their perspectives about dysphagia. SLPs must consider individual client health priorities and provide support for not just the physical but also the psychosocial needs of clients. The reduced profile of dysphagia in our communities continues to be an ongoing barrier for clients with dysphagia and their families.

Findings suggest clinical placement may positively influence cultural awareness development and students' own cultural backgrounds may influence this more. Further exploration of how students move along a continuum of cultural development is warranted.

Living with dysphagia in the community: caregivers "do whatever it takes".