Speech-language pathologists in paediatric palliative care: a Delphi study protocol
BACKGROUND: Given the dearth of literature and no clinical practice guidelines written for speech-language pathologists (SLPs) working in paediatric palliative care (PPC), a need has been identified to explore the scope of clinical practice and strategies used by SLPs. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to undertake an international investigation into the role and scope of practice of SLPs working in PPC to develop consensus-driven 'Recommendations for Speech-Language Pathologists in Paediatric Palliative Care Teams' (ReSP3CT). METHODS: A modified Delphi process will be used to synthesise consensus-based statements from SLPs in six different countries about their role and practice working in PPC. Initially, preliminary survey data will be collected from SLPs to obtain demographic and caseload information. Respondents will then be invited to participate in an in-depth interview to explore common and unique themes that emerge from the online survey. Participants from the interview will then 'opt-in' to become Delphi panel members and receive questionnaires comprising statements for agreement over multiple rounds. Statements will be based on common themes that arise from the literature review, survey and interview data. The Delphi process for each statement will stop if statements achieve ? 70 % agreement and an IQR of ? 1 (maximum of five rounds). CONCLUSION: This is the first study to investigate the role and practice of SLPs in PPC across internationally accepted scope of practice areas. The study will use existing frameworks for statistical analysis and a mixed-methods approach to aid in the synthesis of statements/recommendations for international consensus.
Krikheli L; Carey Lindsay B; Mathisen BA; Erickson S; Carey-Sargeant CL
BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care
2018
<a href="http://doi.org/10.1136/bmjspcare-2018-001667" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">10.1136/bmjspcare-2018-001667</a>
Speech-Language Pathologists in Pediatric Palliative Care: An International Study of Perceptions and Experiences
families; multidisciplinary; palliative care; Patient Care; pediatric; qualitative analysis; speech-language pathology
Purpose The purpose of this study is to gather qualitative data regarding the experiences and perceptions of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) practicing in pediatric palliative care (PPC) and investigate their approaches for working with patients, families, and the multidisciplinary team. Method Ten participants from Australia, Canada, and the United States were recruited from a previous survey study. In-depth interviews were conducted via videoconferencing. Two coders used NVivo software to record and organize the data into themes. Interrater reliability of the coding was established with a third coder. The COnsolidated criteria for REporting Qualitative research 32-item checklist has been used for reporting the research. Results Interrater coding reliability (using weighted kappa) was .81, indicating "almost perfect" agreement on the selection of themes from the code frame. Emerging themes included clinical interventions, unique SLP skills in PPC, multidisciplinary team relationships, workforce issues, education and training, governance, medicolegal considerations, bioethical issues, and holistic care. Additional subthemes are also noted. In the absence of research evidence and practice recommendations, SLPs rely on client perspectives and clinical experience to guide their professional practice in PPC. Conclusions Qualitative survey analysis of the perceptions and experiences of SLP clinicians from three postindustrial countries identified nine major themes regarding PPC. Results expand on limited literature to date in the area of PPC. Future research using larger samples is needed to provide clinicians with best practice recommendations for working with patients, families, and the broader care team.
Krikheli L; Erickson S; Carey LB; Carey-Sargeant CL; Mathisen BA
American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology
2020
Article information provided for research and reference use only. PedPalASCNET does not hold any rights over the resource listed here. All rights are retained by the journal listed under publisher and/or the creator(s).
<a href="http://doi.org/10.1044/2020_ajslp-20-00090" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">10.1044/2020_ajslp-20-00090</a>
Recommendations for speech-language pathologists in paediatric palliative care teams (ReSP3CT): An international modified Delphi study
child; end-of-life; paediatric; palliative care; speech-language pathology
Purpose: There is emerging recognition within the literature that speech-language pathologists (SLPs) have a role in the provision of paediatric palliative care (PPC). SLPs, however, experience unique challenges when working with this vulnerable young cohort of patients, their families and multidisciplinary teams. This study aims to develop practice recommendations based on best available evidence. Method(s): A modified Delphi technique was utilised to develop group consensus over a series of survey rounds. Statements for voting were synthesised by critically reviewing recurring themes from previous studies, involving (i) a scoping literature review, (ii) an online survey, and (iii) interview data. Nine participants were recruited using consecutive sampling from the interview phase related to this study. Result(s): Twenty-one statements were voted upon over two survey rounds (100% response rate). Agreement levels of >=70% across all statements were reached after the first round. There was a significant correlation between rating a statement as "essential" and a strong level of agreement (p<0.0001). Intraparticipant agreement between rounds is also reported. Conclusion(s): The 21 statements form Recommendations for Speech-Language Pathologists in Paediatric Palliative Care Teams (ReSP3CT). The statements will support SLPs working within PPC to promote advocacy, professional development and enhance team involvement in this developing field.
Krikheli L; Carey LB; Erickson S; Carey-Sargeant CL; Mathisen BA
International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology
2021
Article information provided for research and reference use only. PedPalASCNET does not hold any rights over the resource listed here. All rights are retained by the journal listed under publisher and/or the creator(s).
<a href="http://doi.org/10.1080/17549507.2020.1866073" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">10.1080/17549507.2020.1866073</a>