“Know the risks but balance that with their enjoyment”: Impacts of dysphagia on quality of life from the perspectives of allied health professionals

Smith, R; Bryant, L; Hemsley, B

“Know the risks but balance that with their enjoyment”: Impacts of dysphagia on quality of life from the perspectives of allied health professionals

Smith, R

Bryant, L Hemsley, B

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Publisher:: IOS Press
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Advances in Communication and Swallowing, 2022, 25, (2), pp. 83-95
Issue Date:: 2022-12-07

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Smith, R https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9523-785X
dc.contributor.author	Bryant, L
dc.contributor.author	Hemsley, B https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6255-3140
dc.date.accessioned	2023-02-21T00:31:33Z
dc.date.available	2023-02-21T00:31:33Z
dc.date.issued	2022-12-07
dc.identifier.citation	Advances in Communication and Swallowing, 2022, 25, (2), pp. 83-95
dc.identifier.issn	2772-5383
dc.identifier.issn	2772-5391
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/166277
dc.description.abstract	<jats:p>BACKGROUND: Numerous quantitative and descriptive studies show that dysphagia impacts on quality of life. However, there is little in-depth qualitative research exploring the nature of quality of life impacts of dysphagia from the perspectives of people with chronic or lifelong dysphagia or allied health professionals. OBJECTIVE: To determine the views of allied health professionals who work with people with dysphagia on (a) the impacts of dysphagia on a person’s quality of life, participation, and inclusion; and (b) barriers and facilitators to mealtime-related quality of life for people with dysphagia. METHODS: 15 allied health professionals (12 speech and language therapists and three occupational therapists) each attended one of four 2-hour focus groups. Their discussions were recorded, de-identified, and analysed for content themes. Summaries of the researchers’ interpretations were sent to participants for verification. RESULTS: Allied health professionals view that dysphagia impacts negatively on a person’s quality of life, affecting choice and control, engagement in social activities, physical health, and positive food experiences. Barriers and facilitators to improved quality of life include: the opinions of others towards the person’s texture-modified food, implementation of dysphagia interventions, knowledge of and education on dysphagia, and the person’s control over mealtime design components. CONCLUSIONS: The impacts of dysphagia on quality of life extend beyond enjoyment of the food itself and into the person’s social activities and inclusion. Further research should examine the impacts of dysphagia on quality of life from the perspective of people with dysphagia and their supporters and identify ways to reduce this impact.</jats:p>
dc.language	en
dc.publisher	IOS Press
dc.relation	http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/APP1191359
dc.relation.ispartof	Advances in Communication and Swallowing
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.3233/acs-220012
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.title	“Know the risks but balance that with their enjoyment”: Impacts of dysphagia on quality of life from the perspectives of allied health professionals
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	25
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health/Graduate School of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health/Graduate School of Health/GSH.Speech Pathology
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
dc.date.updated	2023-02-21T00:31:32Z
pubs.issue	2
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	25
utslib.citation.issue	2

Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Numerous quantitative and descriptive studies show that dysphagia impacts on quality of life. However, there is little in-depth qualitative research exploring the nature of quality of life impacts of dysphagia from the perspectives of people with chronic or lifelong dysphagia or allied health professionals. OBJECTIVE: To determine the views of allied health professionals who work with people with dysphagia on (a) the impacts of dysphagia on a person’s quality of life, participation, and inclusion; and (b) barriers and facilitators to mealtime-related quality of life for people with dysphagia. METHODS: 15 allied health professionals (12 speech and language therapists and three occupational therapists) each attended one of four 2-hour focus groups. Their discussions were recorded, de-identified, and analysed for content themes. Summaries of the researchers’ interpretations were sent to participants for verification. RESULTS: Allied health professionals view that dysphagia impacts negatively on a person’s quality of life, affecting choice and control, engagement in social activities, physical health, and positive food experiences. Barriers and facilitators to improved quality of life include: the opinions of others towards the person’s texture-modified food, implementation of dysphagia interventions, knowledge of and education on dysphagia, and the person’s control over mealtime design components. CONCLUSIONS: The impacts of dysphagia on quality of life extend beyond enjoyment of the food itself and into the person’s social activities and inclusion. Further research should examine the impacts of dysphagia on quality of life from the perspective of people with dysphagia and their supporters and identify ways to reduce this impact.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/166277