Evaluating paediatric dysphagia in Malta, its impact on family members, and the speech-language pathologist’s role in treatment

Abstract

Local research in the field of paediatric dysphagia (PD) is lacking. Therefore, this study aimed to provide an overview of the incidence and prevalence of PD in Malta, and the assessment and therapy methods used in its management. Furthermore, the study aimed to evaluate perceptions on the speechlanguage pathologist’s (SLP’s) role in PD management, and on the presence of a multidisciplinary approach to PD. Lastly, the study endeavoured to describe the emotional and practical impact of PD on a group of parents of children with this disorder, and to investigate the education and support which they received to cope with the diagnosis. The records of the speech-language department (SLD) were consulted for the number of new cases in PD from 2011 to June 2016. The subsequent data was collected via an interview with an SLP who works with PD, via questionnaires and a focus group interview with the doctors, nurses, and paediatric consultants that work in paediatric wards at the State General Hospital (SGH), and via questionnaires and an interview with the parents of children with PD. The incidence and prevalence rates for PD were calculated mathematically. However, precise incidence and prevalence values could not be identified. The responses of the questionnaires and the interviews were analysed descriptively and thematically. The assessment and therapy methods used by the SLP are presented, and the results indicate that a multidisciplinary approach to PD is being employed at the SGH, although they also indicate that it would benefit from further improvement. Awareness of the SLP’s role with PD appears to be present amongst professionals who work in paediatric wards, but absent amongst the parents before they begin receiving services from the SLP. The results also indicate that exposure to the SLP’s role in PD improves understanding of this role, both in the health professionals and in the parents. Furthermore, the findings indicate that PD has a substantial practical and emotional impact on the parents. However, they reported feeling supported by health professionals and family members in coping with dysphagia.