Training the allied health assistant for the telerehabilitation assessment of dysphagia.

We examined the effect of knowledge and task specific training provided to an allied health assistant (AHA), prior to her involvement in facilitating assessments of dysphagia (swallowing disorders) via telerehabilitation. The AHA received four hours of training, which included basic theoretical information regarding dysphagia as well as hands-on training with simulated patients. A written test examining swallowing function and its evaluation was completed pre- and then immediately post-training, and then again after the 15th and 30th of 31 consecutive patient assessments. In addition, after each set of 5 clinical dysphagia assessments completed with patients following the training, two speech pathologists rated the AHA's competence in relation to performing the tasks and activities required of her during the telerehabilitation swallowing assessment. The AHA also self-rated the perceived level of confidence at these times. Before training, the assistant's knowledge of dysphagia theory was at 40%. Following training, all tests were above the 80% level. The AHA's performance was rated as competent on each evaluation post-training. The AHA also expressed overall satisfaction with the initial training provided and reported feeling confident after the initial sessions with patients. Thus for an AHA with previous clinical experience, competence and perceived comfort in providing assistance in the sessions was achieved with only a few hours of task specific training.