Deglutition Disorders from the Perspective of Healthcare Professionals in Turkey

Abstract

Objective: Awareness of deglutition disorders is essential for prevention of deglutition-related complications and improving quality of care.The study examined the current knowledge, attitude and practice regarding deglutition disorders among healthcare professionals in Turkey.Methods: Healthcare professionals who worked in hospitals and special education schools were included. A survey examining knowledge,attitudes, and practices regarding deglutition disorders, originally designed by Farpour and colleagues (2019), was adapted and administered tohealthcare professionals working in hospitals and special education schools in Turkey.Results: A total of 270 healthcare professionals were responded (72.7% response rate). 254 participants (94.1%) were familiar with theterm deglutition disorders. 223 participants (82.6%) defined their professions as a management team member. All participants supporteda multidisciplinary approach. 216 (80%) participants met a patient with deglutition disorders. 212 participants (78.5%) used at least oneevaluation method to evaluate swallowing function, and 147 participants (54.5%) used at least one treatment method for treatment. Mostparticipants (73.7%) were interested in attending a workshop about deglutition disorders.Conclusion: The present study showed that knowledge about deglutition disorders is high among healthcare professionals in Turkey, and theybelieve the necessity of multidisciplinary approach in deglutition disorders. However, it is not understood if they follow an individualized andstandardized evaluation and management procedures. Therefore, more detailed questionnaires especially focus on evaluation and managementof deglutition disorders should be developed and healthcare professionals could be trained to improve management of deglutition disordersin Turkey.