JCPSLP Vol 19 No 2 2017 low res

JCPSLP

Volume 19, Number 2 2017

Journal of Clinical Practice in Speech-Language Pathology

complementary descriptive approach to examining

qualitative data was employed. Responses to the open-

ended survey questions were analysed informally, with

content categorised by the first author (KS) using keywords.

These responses were grouped into broad themes, after

which the themes were discussed with the second author

(RW) and then finalised through consensus. The number of

responses aligned with each theme were quantified.

Results

Speech-language pathologists in a

dedicated food services role

A total of nine respondents (8% of whole group) indicated

that their facility/health service utilised a SLP in a dedicated

food services role. Three of these nine respondents did not

provide any further details regarding the role, while the

remaining six (participants 14, 71, 78, 88, 89 and 108)

answered a series of related questions about the amount of

time spent in the role, origins of the role, seniority level and

duties of the position. Two positions were reported to be

part-time and four were “consulting or casual” (defined

within the survey as providing advice or support to food

services on an ad hoc basis, one day or less per month). In

response to the question, “How long has this position

existed?”, the position had existed for more than five years

in five instances, and for 2–5 years in one. Four of the

positions were filled by senior level SLPs. One respondent

reported the role was graded as a base or entry level

Procedure

SurveyMonkey™ online survey software was used to deliver

an 18-item questionnaire which remained “live” for two

weeks. Due to the lack of prior research in this area, the

authors developed questions based on anecdotal

knowledge and local information. Questions investigated

several areas including: a) demographics of the respondent,

b) prevalence, scope and tasks of SLPs in dedicated food

services positions within their organisation, c) SLP

participation in food services meetings, d) food service

tasks undertaken by SLPs within non-food service

dedicated clinical roles, and e) overall perceptions of a

hypothetical dedicated SLP role in food services.

The survey included both multiple choice questions

and open-ended questions. Skip logic was used to

change the questions presented to the participants based

on their previous responses. This maximised efficiency

for participants and restricted presentation of irrelevant

questions (e.g., if participants indicated they did not attend

food services meetings, no further questions on this topic

were presented). As not all participants were eligible for all

questions, approximately 5% of respondents completed

all questions. A total of 86% (n = 100) participants who

commenced the survey, finished it.

Data analyses

Descriptive statistics were applied to quantitative survey

data, with responses collated and percentages for each

item calculated. To expand on the quantitative data, a

Table 1. Respondents’ location

Percentage of

Respondents

State/country

Percentage of

Respondents

Location of respondent’s facility or

health service

44%

Queensland

80%

Metropolitan

25%

New South Wales

Rural

Victoria

11%

Unspecified

New Zealand

Tasmania

South Australia

Western Australia

Australian Capital Territory

12%

Unknown (not disclosed)

Table 2. Respondents from within same facility or health district

Same facility

QLD, M1: n = 5

QLD, M1: n = 4

QLD, M1: n = 3

QLD, M2: n = 2

QLD, M2: n = 3

QLD, R1: n = 2

QLD, R2: n = 2

NSW, M2: n = 3

S.A., M1: n = 2

Total: 26

Same district

QLD, M1: n = 2

QLD, M2: n = 5

QLD, M2: n= 3

QLD, M2: n = 2

QLD, M2: n = 3

QLD, R2: n = 2

VIC, M1: n = 2

VIC, M2: n = 2

NSW, M2: n = 6

TAS, M1: n = 4

Total: 33

Key:

Zone