Background: Dysphagia is a common complication with many structural, neurological and psychological problems.In hospital settings, in most cases nurses are the first health care professionals to come in contact with such patients. Knowledge of swallowing difficulties and the signs and symptoms is crucial for nurses working in such settings. A lack of knowledge of dysphagia signs and symptoms can result in detrimental consequences and this can be fatal for the patient.
Objective: The objective of the present study is to establish the knowledge of dysphagia and its screening among nurses and their awareness regarding role of speech and language pathologistsin diagnoses and management of dysphagia in different hospitals of Rawalpindi and Lahore.
Methods: A non-experimental, descriptive survey design was selectedfor this research.Purposive convenient sampling technique was used. Eighty nurses were selected from four hospitals of Rawalpindi and Lahore. Nurses working in medical wards, neurological wards and ICU for two years were included in the study. A self-constructed 5 point Likert questionnaire was used as a research tool. The questionnaire was consisted of 15 items.
Results: The results were analyzed using SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences). Findings indicate lack of knowledge of nurses regarding dysphagia.
Conclusion: It is concluded that nurses lack knowledge of dysphagia and its screening. As well as they dont have awareness of role speech and language pathologist in diagnosis and management of dysphagia.
Key words: Dysphagia, Swallowing Difficulties, Nurses
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