Defining dysphagia – a modified multi-professional Danish Delphi study

Figures & data

Table 1. Definitions of dysphagia.

Definition 1: Dysphagia is understood as a problem with or disturbances of functions that is necessary for transporting food and drinks from the oral cavity through the pharynx and esophagus to the stomach with appropriate frequency and speed.

Definition 2: Dysfunction that prevents processing and efficient and safe swallowing of saliva, food and liquid from the oral cavity to the stomach.

Definition 3: Dysphagia is characterized by difficulty with swallowing saliva, food and drinks.

Definition 4 (final definition): Dysphagia is a functional impairment that either prevents or limits the intake of food and fluids, and which makes swallowing unsafe, inefficient, uncomfortable or affects quality of life.

Definition 5: Dysphagia is an experience of problems with eating and drinking to the extent or in a way that is unsatisfactory and/or affects quality of life.

Definition 6: Dysphagia is a disturbance of the ability to swallow one’s saliva, eat and drink safely, efficiently and with well-being.

Definition 7: Dysphagia is a problem with or disturbances of functions, which is necessary for bringing food and drinks from the oral cavity through the pharynx and esophagus to the stomach with appropriate frequency and speed and which is identified either by objective assessment or the patient’s subjective experience.

Table 2. Characteristics of respondents.

Respondent characteristics	Round 1	Round 2
	N = 194	N = 279
Profession
Dietitian	30 (15.5%)	42 (15.1%)
Occupational therapist	114 (58.8%)	116 (41.6%)
Physical therapist	8 (4.1%)	10 (3.6%)
Physician	19 (9.8%)	24 (8.6%)
Residential social worker	9 (4.6%)	0 (0.0%)
Nurse	1 (0.5%)	67 (24.0%)
Other health professions	13 (6.7%)	20 (7.2%)
Primary workplace
Hospital	77 (39.7%)	142 (50.9%)
Municipal health care	92 (47.4%)	114 (40.9%)
Private practice	12 (6.2%)	9 (3.2%)
Other	13 (6.7%)	14 (5.0%)
Region
Capital Region of Denmark	47 (24.2%)	67 (24.0%)
Central Denmark Region	55 (28.4%)	93 (33.3%)
North Denmark Region	18 (9.3%)	14 (5.0%)
Region Zealand	26 (13.4%)	39 (14.0%)
Region of Southern Denmark	47 (24.2%)	65 (23.3%)
Outside of Denmark	1 (0.5%)	1 (0.4%)
Years of experience with dysphagia management
<0.5 years	9 (4.6%)	8 (2.9%)
0.5 − 2 years	26 (13.4%)	41 (14.7%)
2–4 years	22 (11.3%)	30 (10.8%)
4–6 years	31 (16.0%)	28 (10.0%)
6–8 years	15 (7.7%)	26 (9.3%)
>8 years	91 (46.9%)	146 (52.3%)

Figure 1. Distribution of rating for each of the seven definitions in round one. VAS: Visual Analogue Scale.

Figure 2. Highest rated definition in round one according to profession. OT: occupational therapist.

Figure 3. All participants’ ranking of definitions in round two. 1 = highest ranking; 4 = lowest ranking.