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Background: A dedicated intensive care dietitian, as part of the intensive care unit (ICU) multidisciplinary team, contributes to improved delivery of nutrition support. The Paediatric Critical Care Society recommends a minimum dietetic staffing to critical‐care bed ratio of 1:10, led by an Agenda for Change (AfC) Band 7. Methods: A cross‐sectional study was conducted using an electronic survey that was available for 12 weeks. The Paediatric Intensive Care Audit Network database was used to identify all hospitals with paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) beds (n = 28). Results: Only 14% (n = 4/28) of trusts met the recommended 1:10 dietitian to bed ratio. PICU dietetic whole time equivalent was 0.7 ± 0.4, with a staff to bed ratio of 1:23.7 ± 10.7, compared to adult staff to bed ratio of 1:24.7. Some 92.8% (n = 26/28) had a AfC Band 7 Lead and only 7% (n = 2/28) had an AfC Band 8a Lead compared to adult services where 12.5% (n = 15/122) had an AfC Band 8a (p < 0.05). Conclusions: There is a significant disparity between adult versus paediatric services with regard to seniority of dietitians. Dietitians in well‐resourced centres were more likely to review patients without the need for a referral, which may improve nutrition outcomes. Highlights: Having a paediatric dietitian as part of a multidisciplinary team in paediatric intensive care units (PICU) predicts optimal enteral energy and protein intake.PICUs within the UK and Republic of Ireland do not meet minimum dietetic staffing standards.There is a significant disparity in seniority levels between adult and paediatric dietetic staff in critical care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition which has recently been linked with eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties (dysphagia). However, to date, sample sizes within completed research are small and study designs heterogeneous, and therefore, little is known about the lived experiences of dysphagia among people with fibromyalgia. To go some way towards addressing this gap in the literature, this study collected and analysed the first‐hand experiences of the physical symptoms, the psychosocial impacts and environmental factors that influenced the lived experience of a sample of people living with fibromyalgia‐associated dysphagia. Methods: Qualitative semi‐structured interviews were conducted with adults with dysphagia and fibromyalgia. Reflexive thematic analysis was employed and themes were identified regarding the reported experience and impact of swallowing problems. The same researcher conducted the interviews and extracted all data, and a second researcher analysed a random sample of 5% of the data for accuracy, with no disagreements arising between the two researchers. Results: All participants (n = 8) reported the negative psychosocial impact of their dysphagia. Participants reported managing their dysphagia independently, primarily using compensatory strategies. Participants discussed feeling unsupported in healthcare interactions due to clinicians not understanding the occurrence, nature or impact of eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties. Participants also reported that they did not have access to evidence‐based management strategies that adequately addressed their fibromyalgia‐related swallowing problems. Conclusions: Despite minimal previous research in this area, findings here highlight the impact that dysphagia has on people with fibromyalgia. A broad range of physical symptoms were reported to have negative consequences across both social and emotional domains. The reported symptoms often required complex coping strategies and sometimes impeded participants from seeking suitable medical intervention from healthcare providers. There are both broad‐ranging implications of fibromyalgia‐associated dysphagia and reported poor perceptions of medical interactions for this cohort of patients. Therefore, there is evidently a need for clinical research into the management of this condition to develop patient‐centred care delivery options and to equip healthcare professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide efficacious management to this group. Patient or Public Contribution: Before initiation of the qualitative interviews, the interview schedule was piloted with an individual living with fibromyalgia and dysphagia, with feedback provided on the appropriate wording and format of semi‐structured questioning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: After total laryngectomy, surgical voice restoration is used to establish communication via tracheoesophageal voice prosthesis. Once voice is established, there is a paucity of information on what speech and language therapists (SLTs) should do to improve tracheoesophageal voice quality to ensure functional communication. No existing surveys or studies investigate this specific question. There is also a disconnect between guidelines, knowledge and clinical practice, whereby clinical guidelines stipulate the requirement for SLT intervention, but do not detail what this entails in the rehabilitation context. Aims: (1) To advance understanding of current clinical practice beyond voice prosthesis management and care. (2) To explore what approaches are implemented in clinical practice across the UK and Republic of Ireland to rehabilitate tracheoesophageal voice. (3) To investigate the barriers and facilitators to provision of tracheoesophageal voice therapy. Methods & Procedures: A self‐administered 10‐min online survey was developed using Qualtrics software and piloted before dissemination. Survey development was informed by the Behaviour Change Wheel to identify barriers, facilitators and additional factors contributing to SLTs' provision of voice therapy to tracheoesophageal speakers. The survey was disseminated via social media and professional networks. Eligibility criteria included SLTs with at least one year post‐registration experience and with experience of working with laryngectomy in the past 5 years. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse closed answer questions. Open question responses were analysed using content analysis. Outcomes & Results: The survey received 147 responses. Participants were representative of the head and neck cancer SLT workforce. SLTs believe that tracheoesophageal voice therapy is an important aspect of laryngectomy rehabilitation; however, there was a lack of knowledge about therapy approaches and insufficient resources for implementing therapy. SLTs expressed a desire for more training, specific guidelines and a stronger evidence base to inform clinical practice. Some SLTs expressed feelings of frustration and lack of acknowledgement for the specialist skills required to undertake laryngectomy rehabilitation and tracheoesophageal work in general. Conclusions & Implications: The survey identifies the need for a robust training approach and detailed clinical guidelines to promote consistent practice across the profession. The evidence base within this clinical area is emergent, hence there is a need for increased research and clinical audit to inform practice. Under‐resourcing was highlighted, which should be considered in service planning to ensure that adequate staff, access to expert practitioners or time ring‐fenced for therapy are available for tracheoesophageal speakers to receive the support they require. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: What is already known on this subject: Total laryngectomy results in life‐altering changes to communication. Clinical guidelines advocate for speech and language therapy intervention; however, there is no clear information on what SLTs should do to optimize tracheoesophageal voice and the evidence base to support practice is lacking. What this study adds to existing knowledge: This survey identifies what interventions SLTs provide in clinical practice to rehabilitate tracheoesophageal voice; and it explores the barriers and facilitators that influence the provision of tracheoesophageal voice therapy. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work?: Specific training, clinical guidelines, increased research and audit are required to support clinical practice in laryngectomy rehabilitation. Service planning should address the under‐resourcing of staff, expert practitioners and therapy allocated time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]