Dr Sarah El-Wahsh1, Ms Susannah Bonnor, Ms Katarina Byrne, Ms Val Maynes, Ms Clare McCluskey, Ms Rachel Heatley, Ms Monique Signorelli, Dr Elise Bogart
1The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
Biography:
Sarah El-Wahsh completed her Speech Pathology degree in 2017, graduating with Honours I, the University Medal, the Dean's Scholar Award, and the Speech Pathology Australia award for best graduating student. She received a scholarship and completed her PhD in 2022 from The University of Sydney (USYD). She is a certified practicing speech pathologist and holds an Honorary Clinical Lecturer position at USYD. She has several first-author publications and has co-authored several book chapters on progressive neurological diseases. She has received multiple awards at national and international conferences, as well as in her work as a speech pathologist, for clinical excellence.
Abstract:
Clinician confidence is crucial for effective patient-professional relationships. Limited research explores confidence levels of allied health professionals, specifically speech pathologists (SPs), when supporting people with motor neurone disease (PwMND). This study investigated SPs’ self-reported confidence across key practice areas: swallowing, oral secretions, oral hygiene, airway management, communication. It also investigated associated demographic/background variables, facilitators/barriers affecting confidence development, and professional development needs.
Seventy-two SPs from Australia completed an online questionnaire. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and regression analysis, while content analysis was applied to open-ended responses.
Participants reported varied confidence levels, with higher confidence with general interventions like diet/fluid modification and clear speech strategies, but lower confidence in MND-specific interventions like voice preservation, secretion management, and electronic alternative and augmentative communication. Factors including years of experience, MND caseload proportion, multidisciplinary team structure, and clinician age were significantly associated with confidence. Participants identified facilitators/barriers to confidence development, categorised into four themes: support systems and collaboration, resources, knowledge and skills, and interactions and communication. Additionally, participants highlighted key insights they wish they had known when beginning to work with PwMND, which informed development of practical tips for new clinicians.
The findings highlight the complex factors affecting SPs’ confidence in supporting PwMND, emphasising the need for targeted measures to address identified gaps. A set of recommendations has been developed to advance multidisciplinary research and clinical practice in this area. Enhancing allied health workforce confidence can improve both clinician satisfaction and patient care. Further research is needed to implement and evaluate these recommendations.