Dysphagia Training Programmes: ‘Fixes That Fail’ or Effective Inter‐disciplinary Working?

Abstract

A number of factors influencing the development of dysphagia training programmes are identified, some of which relate to cultural issues and to the way systems operate. Lessons can be learned from current theories of relevance to effecting change in professionals' working practice. These lessons can be applied beyond dysphagia to other areas in which speech and language therapists are involved.

Effect of an Experiential Dysphagia Workshop on Caregivers’ Knowledge, Confidence, Anxiety and Behaviour During Mealtimes

“…This 'top-down processing' was encouraged within the workshop by posing questions at the start of the training so as to encourage the participants to think of their own relationship with food and drink as well as to recall personal concerns regarding feeding their children. This use of a combination of teaching styles to encourage 'active' learning is also in keeping with the recommendations of Miller and Krawczyk (2001), and in line with the 'experiential learning cycle' described by Kolb (1984). Nevertheless, it is not possible to isolate the impact of each of the different teaching styles used within the workshop on caregiver understanding and recall.…”

“…Miller and Krawczyk (2001) stress the need to engage participants as 'active learners' in training, employing a combination of teaching styles, thus promoting reflection on 'their own experience, try things out in practice and apply theoretical learning to practical situations' (pg. 381).…”

Consensus‐building on developing dysphagia competence: a North West of England perspective

“…Respondents were strongly in favour of structures protecting CPD and supervision even when practical issues gave many causes for concern. Eclectic and individualized approaches to dysphagia competency development have also been suggested in previous studies (Duivestein and Gerlach , Miller and Krawczyk ).…”

“…In addition, the local resources available (including time and finance) impact on dysphagia competency development. Consideration of the wider context, within which dysphagia competency training takes place, is also recommended by Miller and Krawczyk ().…”

Changes in percieved and real knowledge, confidence and anxiety regarding feeding among i Lankan Tamil mother of children with cerebral palsy and associated dysphagia following an experimental workshop

“…There is some literature on training programmes for nursing staff targeting screening and management of clients with dysphagia in the hospital setting (10,11,12). In addition, a few studies are available on training care staff in community settings to support clients with dysphagia (5,9).…”