Dysphagia screening using an allied health assistant delegation model: service considerations for implementation
Creators: name: Schwarz, Maria
name: Ward, Elizabeth C.
name: Cornwell, Petrea
name: Coccetti, Anne
Publisher: name: Taylor & Francis
Year: 2020
Subjects: subject: Medicine
subject: 59999 Environmental Sciences not elsewhere classified
subject: FOS: Earth and related environmental sciences
subject: Sociology
subject: FOS: Sociology
subject: 69999 Biological Sciences not elsewhere classified
subject: FOS: Biological sciences
subject: Science Policy

description: Three facilities, involved in introducing a model of Allied Health Assistant (AHA) delegated dysphagia screening, examined barriers and facilitators to service implementation. The 3 facilities varied in size, services and location. AHAs (<i>n</i> = 4) and speech-language therapists (SLTs; <i>n</i> = 4) directly involved in implementation at each site completed semi-structured interviews exploring the implementation experience. Analysis was guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). There was differential implementation across the sites. Facilitators to implementation fell within the CFIR <i>Innovation Characteristic</i> domain, with the “relative advantage” of the model and “design, quality and packaging” of the training and implementation resources being key facilitators. Barriers related to the <i>Innovation Characteristic</i> domain, regarding the tool’s “adaptability” in terms of screening tools selected and the implementation environment. Issues with the <i>Inner Setting</i> domain, specifically the “structural characteristics,” the “compatibility” of the model and the “relative priority” of the model’s implementation within other organizational priorities were also barriers. Although the service model was perceived to have relative advantage, compatibility with local work-flow priorities and service needs must be thoroughly considered if AHA delegated dysphagia screening is to be beneficial as a service model to address increasing dysphagia referral demands.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONDysphagia is a disabling condition which may result in medical, social and operational complications.The demands of screening, assessing, managing and providing rehabilitation for dysphagia are increasing, therefore alternative models of service delivery including delegation are increasingly being considered and implemented.This study provides evidence regarding the context and facilitators of successful AHA dysphagia screening model implementation.This evidence contributes to a growing knowledge base of delegation practices for the management of staffing resources and building of capacity for rehabilitation service delivery. Dysphagia is a disabling condition which may result in medical, social and operational complications. The demands of screening, assessing, managing and providing rehabilitation for dysphagia are increasing, therefore alternative models of service delivery including delegation are increasingly being considered and implemented. This study provides evidence regarding the context and facilitators of successful AHA dysphagia screening model implementation. This evidence contributes to a growing knowledge base of delegation practices for the management of staffing resources and building of capacity for rehabilitation service delivery.