Table 5.
Strategies and routines to support clients with eating and swallowing difficulties (nClinicians = 44).
| Strategy/Routine | Frequency % (n) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Never | Rarely | Sometimes | Often | Always | Unknown | n Total | |
| Improving clients’ upright sitting posture | 0 | 0 | 2.4% (1) | 28.6% (12) | 69.0% (29) | 0 | 42 |
| Adjusting head positioning | 0 | 5.0% (2) | 10.0% (4) | 25.0% (10) | 55.0% (22) | 5.0% (2) | 40 |
| Use of customized mealtime utensils | 0 | 4.7% (2) | 30.2% (13) | 46.5% (20) | 18.6% (8) | 0 | 43 |
| Modification of food consistencies | 2.3% (1) | 2.3% (1) | 0 | 65.1% (28) | 30.2% (13) | 0 | 43 |
| Modification of liquid consistencies | 0 | 2.3% (1) | 9.3% (4) | 62.6% (27) | 25.6% (11) | 0 | 43 |
| Change of medicine intake (e.g., change of consistence, crushed tablets, or liquid instead of tablets) | 4.7% (2) | 4.7% (2) | 18.6% (8) | 53.5% (23) | 16.3% (7) | 2.3% (1) | 43 |
| Changes in the environment (avoidance of distracting background activities or noise, e.g., television, music) | 0 | 4.9% (2) | 34.1% (14) | 39.0% (16) | 19.5% (8) | 2.4% (1) | 41 |
| Mealtime observation | 2.4% (1) | 2.4% (1) | 14.3% (6) | 40.5% (17) | 40.5% (17) | 0 | 42 |
| Checking for clients to be well rested and alert during mealtimes | 0 | 9.5% (4) | 16.7% (7) | 40.5% (17) | 28.6% (12) | 4.8% (2) | 42 |
| Offering hand support during eating | 0 | 25.0% (10) | 40.0% (16) | 27.5% (11) | 5.0% (2) | 2.5% (1) | 40 |
| Control of bolus size per mouthful | 5.0% (2) | 12.5% (5) | 15.0% (6) | 42.5% (17) | 25.0% (10) | 0 | 40 |
| Checking for food residues in mouth | 0 | 22.2% (9) | 15.0% (6) | 20.0% (8) | 40.0% (16) | 2.5% (1) | 40 |
| Controlling speed of oral intake | 0 | 7.5% (3) | 27.5% (11) | 32.5% (13) | 27.5% (11) | 5.0% (2) | 40 |
| Having clients actively engaged in drinking and eating activities | 0 | 5.0% (2) | 15.0% (6) | 47.5% (19) | 27.5% (11) | 5.0% (2) | 40 |
| Allowing prolonged upright sitting after mealtimes for at least 15 min | 0 | 7.3% (3) | 26.8% (11) | 29.3% (12) | 31.7% (13) | 4.9% (2) | 41 |
| Oral care after meals | 10.0% (4) | 20.0% (8) | 15.0% (6) | 40.0% (16 ) | 10.0% (4) | 5.0% (2) | 40 |
Note. Highest frequencies per strategy/routine in bold-italics.