Speech Language Pathology Perceptions in the Time of COVID-19: Telehealth and Dysphagia Services in West Virginia

Abstract

INTRODUCTION Little is known about the nature and frequency of telehealth services in rural settings, particularly those within West Virginia (WV) with historically limited access to speech and language services. The purpose of this work is to define these services in WV and to discuss how the 2019 coronavirus pandemic (COVID) precautions affected the need to use tele- health from the speech and language pathologist (SLP) perspective. METHODS An online survey was administered to WV SLPs exploring their feeding and swallowing expertise, service coordination, patient service utilization, and approaches, particularly post- COVID. Our approach yielded responses from 124 SLPs from 37 of the 55 WV counties. RESULTS The majority of the sample provided a variety of services across large regions of WV. SLP experiences were varied. Half of survey respondents cited a shortage of experienced clinicians as a primary reason for feeding and swallowing service denial. The majority of SLPs had incorporated telehealth into their approach since COVID; however, a subsample reported restrictions in access to technology, policies, and training. Many respondents were not sure of security risks and requested training in security and methods for active participation. CONCLUSIONS Our findings reveal the need for increased systematic and educational support for SLPs providing feeding services via telehealth. Provider access, training, and use of telehealth approaches are pivotal for reaching people with disabilities and are crucial for removing the isolation for this population.