| International journal of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Neonatal Care (Volume 3 Issue 1) | |
| Pediatric Dysphagia: A rise in preterm infants and a need for more formal training for speech-language pathologists |  |
| Pages 1-8 Emily Zimmerman DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15379/2408-9761.2016.03.01.03Published: 31March 2016 |
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| Abstract | |
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Background: The purpose of this study was to estimate how many master’s programs in speech-language pathology (SLP) offer a course in pediatric dysphagia and to determine if taking this course improves how prepared SLPs are to work with this population.
Methods: One hundred SLP master’s programs were examined to determine if they offered a pediatric dysphagia course. Next, a pediatric dysphagia survey was sent out to SLPs to examine three main questions: 1) if their master’s program offered a pediatric dysphagia course, 2) if they completed the course, and 3) how prepared they felt to work with this population.
Results: Of the 100 SLP master’s programs contacted, only 21% of the SLP master’s programs offered a pediatric dysphagia course. A majority (64.50%) of SLPs who did not completed a pediatric dysphagia course reported feeling unprepared to work with this population.
Conclusions: There should be an increased focus on adding pediatric dysphagia courses into SLP master’s programs in an effort to increase the level of preparedness for SLPs and to improve patient outcomes. |
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| Keywords | |
| Speech-language pathologist, Neonatal intensive care unit, pediatric dysphagia, education. | |
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