Sociodemographic profile and professional practice of speech-language and hearing therapists working with dysphagia: a pilot study within the Brazilian health system
1
Graduate Program in Health Sciences and Human Communication, São Paulo State University, Marília, Brazil
2
Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, São Paulo State University, Marília, Brazil
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A3682
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) can have consequences (pneumonia, malnutrition, or social isolation) that compromise quality of life1-2. Care should be multidisciplinary, including primary to hospital care, and the speech-language and hearing therapist (SLHT) acting continuously. This study aimed to verify the feasibility of research instruments on the characterization of SLHT, their demands, and their role in dysphagia care within the Brazilian health system.
METHODS:
This is a cross-sectional study with ethical approval. The sample consisted of 15 SLHT from primary care or dysphagia management and/or assistance (outpatient clinic, home, or hospital care). Data collection included an online questionnaire, developed by the researchers, on sociodemographic characteristics, services, and dysphagia demands. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.
RESULTS:
Among the participants (n=15), 93.3% were women, self-declared white (60%), between 30 and 39 years old (66.6%), and graduated from a public university (80%), with postgraduate studies (93.3%). They work in public (66.6%) or private (60%) services, with some professionals working in both (26.7%), and hospital care being the most frequent setting (73.3%). Dysphagia-related demands occur daily (73.3%), predominantly involving assessment and therapy (80%) for adults and older individuals (80%). All participants work in patient care, with 46.7% also involved in management. Among the difficulties highlighted were the high demand for patients, lack of knowledge about referrals, lack of resources and trained professionals in dysphagia, waiting lists for appointments and exams, and reduced working hours for professionals.
CONCLUSIONS:
The instrument is viable for research, identifying professionals’ profiles who are predominantly women, white, and from public institutions working in hospitals, providing daily assessment and therapy to adults and older individuals. Difficulties include infrastructure, professional training, and service coordination, highlighting the need for research to support policies and actions for dysphagia care.
Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) can have consequences (pneumonia, malnutrition, or social isolation) that compromise quality of life1-2. Care should be multidisciplinary, including primary to hospital care, and the speech-language and hearing therapist (SLHT) acting continuously. This study aimed to verify the feasibility of research instruments on the characterization of SLHT, their demands, and their role in dysphagia care within the Brazilian health system.
METHODS:
This is a cross-sectional study with ethical approval. The sample consisted of 15 SLHT from primary care or dysphagia management and/or assistance (outpatient clinic, home, or hospital care). Data collection included an online questionnaire, developed by the researchers, on sociodemographic characteristics, services, and dysphagia demands. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.
RESULTS:
Among the participants (n=15), 93.3% were women, self-declared white (60%), between 30 and 39 years old (66.6%), and graduated from a public university (80%), with postgraduate studies (93.3%). They work in public (66.6%) or private (60%) services, with some professionals working in both (26.7%), and hospital care being the most frequent setting (73.3%). Dysphagia-related demands occur daily (73.3%), predominantly involving assessment and therapy (80%) for adults and older individuals (80%). All participants work in patient care, with 46.7% also involved in management. Among the difficulties highlighted were the high demand for patients, lack of knowledge about referrals, lack of resources and trained professionals in dysphagia, waiting lists for appointments and exams, and reduced working hours for professionals.
CONCLUSIONS:
The instrument is viable for research, identifying professionals’ profiles who are predominantly women, white, and from public institutions working in hospitals, providing daily assessment and therapy to adults and older individuals. Difficulties include infrastructure, professional training, and service coordination, highlighting the need for research to support policies and actions for dysphagia care.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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