Assessment and management approaches for dysphagia in tracheostomized patients: Practices of speech-language pathologists in India

ObjectiveSpeech language pathologists (SLPs) play a crucial role while dealing with tracheostomized patients, particularly in addressing communication impairments and dysphagia. However, in India, there is a lack of standardized guidelines for SLPs in the treatment of tracheostomy patients, resulting in variations in clinical practices and patient care.MethodsAn online survey was conducted among 106 experienced SLPs in India. The survey included questions pertaining to various aspects of assessment and treatment in tracheostomized patients. Survey data were analyzed to identify the level of consensus among SLPs in these areas.ResultsThe survey results revealed varying levels of consensus among SLPs in most of the domains. Most responses fell within the moderate to low consensus range, indicating a lack of standardized practices.ConclusionsThe study highlights the lack of standardized guidelines among SLPs in India when it comes to tracheostomy patient care. Hence, the study recommends collaboration among relevant organizations to enhance knowledge sharing and standardize clinical guidelines to improve the overall quality of care for tracheostomy patients in India. Significant findings of the study: Varying levels of consensus among experienced speech language pathologists (SLPs) in India, with most responses falling within the moderate to low consensus range, were observed. What this study adds: The study underscores the significant absence of standardized guidelines among SLPs working in India. This lack of standardization leads to variation in clinical practices, indicating a need for consistent and evidence-based approaches in managing communication and dysphagia in this population.