Speech-language pathologists and adult palliative care in Australia

Abstract

Purpose

This research explored the role of Australian Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) to identify SLP experiences and practices regarding adult palliative care (PC) management.

Method

Utilising mixed methods, phase one comprised a literature scoping review of SLP practices in PC. Phase two involved a survey compiling demographic data of Australian SLPs working in adult PC. Phase three involved in-depth interviews exploring SLP experiences in PC.

Result

It was found that minimal resources or published literature existed regarding SLPs in PC, however the available literature indicated SLPs can be valuable and influential members of a PC team. Interviewed SLPs acknowledged their proficiency in end-of-life communication and swallowing, nevertheless initially they felt ill-prepared given insufficient knowledge or skills to manage palliative cases based upon their tertiary education and were poorly supported once in the field given a lack of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs). Participants also noted a lack of knowledge among medical, nursing and allied health clinicians about a SLP’s contribution to PC, causing barriers for SLPs being professionally accepted within palliative environments.

Conclusion

Recommendations included the development of improved resources specifically about SLP practice in end-of-life care, the need for greater exposure at the tertiary level of SLP palliative care practices, and CPGs for SLPs working in adult palliative care.

Keywords:

• speech-language pathology
• palliative care
• dysphagia
• communication

Ethical approval

This research was approved by the La Trobe University Human Research Ethics Committee (S15/244) in compliance with the (Australian) National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research, Canberra: National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC, 2007).

Acknowledgements

The researchers wish to acknowledge the support of Associate Professor Bruce Rumbold, OAM, Director of the Public Health Palliative Care Unit, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial interests that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Notes

1 Some tertiary courses offer electives to health science students in topics such as “Death, Dying and Grief”, “Death Studies” or “Death, Dying and Bereavement” (e.g., Taught by the Palliative Care Unit, La Trobe University, at Melbourne and Bendigo Campus).