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Prevalence, Professional practice, and patient perspectives in swallowing disorders (oropharyngeal dysphagia)

The safe swallow; a difficult act to follow

Project leader:

Marianne Løvstad, Head of psychology, SRH, Porf. Dept of Psychology, UiO

Abstract

Safe and efficient swallowing is necessary to sustain human life. Difficulty with swallowing (oropharyngeal dysphagia; OD), i.e. the ability to safely and efficiently transport food, liquid and medicines from the mouth to the esophagus, is prevalent and potentially life-threatening in many medical conditions, and the prevalence is expected to increase with our aging society. Yet, OD is often not adequately identified, assessed or treated. Research in the field of OD is relatively young, leaving many areas of importance unexplored. There are knowledge gaps regarding prevalence of OD, to what extent different professions possess the skills and experience needed for management of OD and access to validated assessment tools.

This PhD study includes four sub-studies:

  1. A systematic review will establish the current knowledge base regarding prevalence of OD within different parts of the health care system. 
  2. A prospective study will establish prevalence of OD in rehabilitation hospitals in South-Eastern Norway and provide access to a validated screening tool.
  3. A survey will establish knowledge about current practices and future needs in training of transdisciplinary teams within the field of OD.
  4. A validation study of the Norwegian version of the Swallowing Quality of Life questionnaire (Nor-SWAL-QOL) has already been performed. Results of this study may be immediately implemented in clinical settings.

Marianne Løvstad, Sunnaas Rehabilitation Hospital and The department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Norway, Phd

Lena Hartelius, Sahlgrenska Academy, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, University of Gothenburg, Sweden, PhD

Renee Speyer, Institute of Special Needs Education, University of Oslo, Norway, PhD

Liza Bergström, Sahlgrenska Academy, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, University of Gothenburg, Sweden, PhD

Maribeth Caya Rivelsrud, Sunnaas Rehabilitation Hospital, Norway and Sahlgrenska Academy, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, University of Gothenburg, Sweden, MS (doctoral student) 

Ethical approvals 

REK ref 2019/827/REK sør-øst C

Funding

2 312 000 NOK from Helse Sør-Øst

Time period

2021-2024 

Sist oppdatert 29.11.2023