Awareness and practices of Speech Language Pathologists (SLPs) working with chronic cough in India: a call for action
Authors
Yamini Venkatraman
Department of Audiology and Speech Language Pathology, Kasturba Medical College Mangalore, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Karnataka, Manipal, 576 104, India
Vishak Acharya
Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Kasturba Medical College Mangalore, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Karnataka, Manipal, 576 104, India
Sindhu Kamath
Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Kasturba Medical College Mangalore, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Karnataka, Manipal, 576 104, India
Dhanshree Gunjawate
Department of Audiology and Speech Language Pathology, Kasturba Medical College Mangalore, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Karnataka, Manipal, 576 104, India
Radish Balasubramanium
Department of Audiology and Speech Language Pathology, Kasturba Medical College Mangalore, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Karnataka, Manipal, 576 104, India
Keywords:
chronic cough, refractory, practice patterns, healthcare, scope of practice
Abstract
Objective:
A cough persisting beyond eight weeks is referred as chronic cough (CC) and is a common symptom of many respiratory conditions and non-respiratory conditions. The role of a speech language pathologist (SLP) in CC is emerging and this study aimed to profile the awareness and practice patterns of SLPs practicing in India.
Study design:
Cross-sectional study.
Method:
An online survey was used to profile the assessment, treatment and counselling practices in CC among SLPs working in India. It sought to identify the awareness levels among SLPs regarding their role and availability of behavioural interventions for CC. Only SLPs who dealt with CC could complete the entire survey while other SLPs, filled regarding awareness and availability of behavioural interventions.
Results:
127 eligible responses obtained from SLPs working across clinical settings in India were analysed. 75.59% (n=96) of them had not seen patients with CC in their career. 47.24% (n=60) of them were aware that behavioural interventions were available for CC. Thirty-one SLPs completed the entire survey and their practice patterns indicated that few clinicians used cough-specific protocols while largely relying on voice and swallowing related assessment and treatment for CC.
Conclusion:
This survey the lack of awareness of SLPs’ role in CC and that their practices are dominated by existing procedures for voice and swallowing disorders. Increasing the awareness of SLP’s role in CC may increase the caseload of patients referred and expand the SLP’s scope of practice. Development of guidelines in CC practice and inclusion in coursework/curriculum are future considerations.
Keywords: chronic cough, refractory, practice patterns, healthcare, scope of practice
Author Biographies
Yamini Venkatraman, Department of Audiology and Speech Language Pathology, Kasturba Medical College Mangalore, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Karnataka, Manipal, 576 104, India
Vishak Acharya, Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Kasturba Medical College Mangalore, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Karnataka, Manipal, 576 104, India
Conceptualization, Methodology
Dhanshree Gunjawate, Department of Audiology and Speech Language Pathology, Kasturba Medical College Mangalore, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Karnataka, Manipal, 576 104, India
Writing - original draft, Writing - review & editing
Radish Balasubramanium, Department of Audiology and Speech Language Pathology, Kasturba Medical College Mangalore, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Karnataka, Manipal, 576 104, India
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