Abstract
ABSTRACT Objective: to analyze the competencies of the interprofessional team in the care of dysphagic stroke patients. Methods: an exploratory-descriptive, qualitative study. The research participants i.e., nursing technicians, nurses, physiotherapists, speech therapists and physicians that provided care to patients with stroke in the acute and subacute phase, were randomly selected. The study setting was a stroke unit and neurological ward of the neurology referral hospital for Ceará State, Brazil. Data collection was performed through a semi-structured and recorded interview. The recorded data were organized and analyzed, according to the thematic analysis technique proposed by Bardin. Results: based on the statements, three main categories were developed: “conceptualizing and identifying dysphagia”, “knowledge about the prevention of bronchoaspiration in stroke patients” and “bronchoaspiration as a complication of dysphagia”. The providers’ statements revealed that some experienced doubts and even unawareness about what dysphagia is. Conclusion: the present study showed a complexity of care for stroke patients with dysphagia. Therefore, this scenario reflects the need for continuing education in the service and for interdisciplinarity among professional categories.
Highlights
Stroke is the leading cause of disability and death worldwide, in both high-income countries and developing countries[1]
The American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association confirm this finding by stating that stroke patients are up to 7 times more likely to develop aspiration pneumonia when dysphagia is not screened for, with them requiring twice the length of hospital stay[7]
The length of professional experience with stroke patients was a minimum of 3 months and a maximum of 27 years
Summary
Stroke is the leading cause of disability and death worldwide, in both high-income countries and developing countries[1]. In Brazil, this is the main cause of mortality, characterizing an extremely disabling disease, and considered one of the greatest public health concerns in the country[3]. According to studies found in the literature, oropharyngeal dysphagia is present in more than 50% of stroke cases when still in the acute phase, with its main complications being: malnutrition, dehydration and pulmonary complications, such as aspiration pneumonia[4]. Pneumonia affects approximately 30% of these patients in the acute post-stroke phase[5], being associated with higher mortality, worse functional outcome and longer hospital stays[6]. The American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association confirm this finding by stating that stroke patients are up to 7 times more likely to develop aspiration pneumonia when dysphagia is not screened for, with them requiring twice the length of hospital stay[7]
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