Effect of an Experiential Dysphagia Workshop on Caregivers’ Knowledge, Confidence, Anxiety and Behaviour During Mealtimes

Efficacy of a Low-cost Multidisciplinary Team-led Experiential Workshop for Public Health Midwives on Dysphagia Management for Children with Cerebral Palsy

“…Chadwick andcolleagues (2006) explain this finding as reflective of the concrete nature of texture modification and its everyday experience as aiding caregiver recall of speech and language therapists' recommendations of food/drink consistencies. This was, however, in contrast to a previous study (Hettiarachchi, 2011;Hettiarachchi & Kitnasamy, 2013 and to the studies by colleagues (2003, 2006) with caregivers. The former study (Hettiarachchi, 2011; Hettiarachchi & Kitnasamy, 2013 did not offer opportunities for experiential learning activities on food consistencies during the workshop, which may explain this observed difference.…”

“…Appropriate positioning of children with cerebral palsy during mealtimes is a recurrent concern highlighted within the literature (Reilly & Skuse, 1992;Larnert & Ekberg, 1995;Gisel et al, 2003;Adams, 2009). The improved recall of information on posture and positioning during mealtimes was similar to the findings of the previous workshop offered to parents/caregivers (Hettiarachchi, 2011;Hettiarachchi & Kitnasamy, 2013 but dissimilar to the findings reported by Chadwick et al (2002). That said, both studies differed from the current study, either in the participants included (i.e.…”

“…At the individual level, the positive changes in tested knowledge in real terms among the majority of participants were commensurate with the perceived increase in knowledge and confidence and vice versa. Comparable increases in actual or tested and perceived knowledge have been reported in similar workshops on dysphagia management with parents/caregivers from similar cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds in Bangladesh (Chadwick et al, 2002;Chadwick et al, 2006) and in Sri Lanka (Hettiarachchi, 2011;Hettiarachchi & Kitnasamy, 2013. The post-workshop responses to the short answer questions showed better recall of information associated with cerebral palsy, associated eating, drinking and feeding difficulties, signs of aspiration, positioning during mealtimes and food categorisation. This may be due to the adult learning theories/strategies of experiential learning activities (Kolb, 1994) and diverse adult learning styles (Honey & Mumford, 1986) used, hands-on demonstrations, video case presentations, and the clear link between theory and practice included as part of the teaching-learning methods.…”

“…The questionnaire, which was devised by the authors, was specific to the professional role of PHMs and to the Sri Lankan context. In order to make the questionnaire locally applicable, the authors used the findings of a previous qualitative study on parental views, which highlighted their needs with regard to dysphagia support (Hettiarachchi, 2011, and the questionnaire used in a study with parents by two of the current authors (Hettiarachchi, 2011;Hettiarachchi & Kitnasamy, 2013. The questionnaire devised in English by the first author was circulated to the other members of the team for their comments.…”

A web-based daily care training to improve the quality of life of mothers of children with cerebral palsy: A randomized controlled trial

“…The subjects provided in handling interventions consisted of feeding, bathing, toileting, carrying, dressing, movement principle and sleep. The effectiveness of mothers’ training through these methods have been well investigated and their results demonstrated positive influences on mothers' knowledge, as well as reducing their stress, and improving their quality of life (QOL) ( Allah, El Awady, & Hameed, 2012 ; Ghorbanpoor et al, 2014 ; Hettiarachchi & Kitnasamy, 2013 ; Jalili, Rassafiani, Dalvand, Haghgoo, & Farzi, 2013 ; Nobakht & Rassafiani, 2016 ). However, there is little evidence about the effectiveness of telehealth model, which uses electronic information and telecommunication technologies, to provide health-related services for mothers of children with CP ( Cason, 2012 ; Nobakht, Rassafiani, Hosseini, & Ahmadi, 2017 ).…”