Understanding Training Needs in Pediatric Feeding for Allied Health Professionals: An Australian Perspective

Abstract

Purpose: Clinician experience and confidence can negatively impact pediatric feeding service availability, but limited research has investigated what training allied health professionals (AHPs) need to increase these factors. This study developed and distributed a survey investigating Australian AHPs' self-reported confidence and anxiousness, training needs, factors impacting training access, and training preferences. Method: This study was conducted over two phases. Phase 1 involved development and refinement of the survey, and Phase 2 involved distribution to Australian AHPs. Questions pertained to general demographics, feeding experience, feeding confidence and skills perception, and training needs. The questions were composed of multiple-choice, Likert scale, and short-response options. Results: Overall, 198 complete responses were received. Participants reported significantly lower confidence and higher anxiousness working with infants compared to older children ( p < .01). Increased frequency of service provision predicted higher self-reported confidence and lower anxiousness ( p < .01). Practical training opportunities including case discussion, videos, and clinical feedback were preferred. Access facilitators were online, on-demand training; however, respondents reported preferring hands-on training opportunities. Common barriers included cost, time, competing professional development priorities, and distance/travel. Conclusions: Findings have highlighted that recency and frequency of practice impact self-reported confidence and anxiousness, and that AHPs self-report lowest confidence and highest anxiety working with infants compared to older age groups. Overall, the findings highlight the need for flexible, practical, and remotely accessible training opportunities, as well as the need for access to regular clinical supervision and a pediatric feeding caseload.

Development and Pilot Testing of Telesimulation for Pediatric Feeding: A Feasibility Study

“…The escalating prevalence of PFD [13] has resulted in an increased requirement for clinical skills in this area. Unfortunately, many clinicians report low confidence and readiness to practice [14][15][16] and expertise is often held at tertiary care centers. Access to training is described as an issue in pediatric feeding care, with time, distance, and travel requirements cited as barriers [16].…”

“…Unfortunately, many clinicians report low confidence and readiness to practice [14][15][16] and expertise is often held at tertiary care centers. Access to training is described as an issue in pediatric feeding care, with time, distance, and travel requirements cited as barriers [16]. A recent Australian survey of training needs found that providing opportunities in an online format was a commonly reported facilitator to increasing access to training, with infant feeding identified as a priority area [16].…”

“…Access to training is described as an issue in pediatric feeding care, with time, distance, and travel requirements cited as barriers [16]. A recent Australian survey of training needs found that providing opportunities in an online format was a commonly reported facilitator to increasing access to training, with infant feeding identified as a priority area [16]. In reality, multiple online training opportunities in this clinical area do exist, but most of these are offered using didactic teaching or case-based learning, rather than via an interactive simulated learning experience.…”