‘Teleswallowing’: a case study of remote swallowing assessment

Bidmead, Elaine ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0166-4506 , Reid, Tilly ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5145-5879 , Marshall, Alison ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6816-2362 and Southern, Veronica (2015) ‘Teleswallowing’: a case study of remote swallowing assessment. Clinical Governance, 20 (3). pp. 155-168.

Preview

PDF - Accepted Version Available under License CC BY-NC Download (116kB) | Preview

Abstract

Purpose: Telemedicine has enabled speech and language therapists (SLTs) to remotely assess swallowing difficulties (dysphagia) experienced by nursing home residents. The new technique, “teleswallowing”, was designed by the Speech and Language Therapy Service at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. It allows prompt assessment, avoiding potential risks of aspiration pneumonia, malnutrition, poor rehabilitation, increased hospital stays and reduced quality of life (Hinchey et al., 2005; Langmore et al., 1998). The purpose of this paper is to report on a second pilot of teleswallowing and the concomitant adoption study.

Design/methodology/approach: The adoption study employed qualitative methods, including consultations with senior managers, semi-structured interviews with nursing home matrons/managers and nurses, two focus groups and semi-structured interviews with SLTs. The project clinical lead kept an activity log, which was used to estimate resource savings.

Findings: Over a three-month period, six SLTs and 17 patients in five nursing homes participated in teleswallowing assessments. Teleswallowing benefited both patients and participating nursing homes. Better use of therapist time and cost savings were demonstrated and evidence showed that the service could be successfully scaled up. Despite this, a number of barriers to service transformation were identified.

Originality/value: This is the first implementation of teleswallowing in the UK, but it has been used in Australia (Ward et al., 2012). The approach to engaging stakeholders to understand and address barriers to adoption is novel. The value lies in the lessons learned for future innovations.

Item Type:	Article
Journal / Publication Title:	Clinical Governance
Publisher:	Emerald
ISSN:	1758-6038
Departments:	Research Centres > Cumbrian Centre for Health Technologies (CACHET)
Depositing User:	Elaine Bidmead
Date Deposited:	30 Nov 2015 12:43
Last Modified:	12 Jan 2024 14:31
URI:	https://insight.cumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/1923

Downloads