Imperial College London
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DrGemmaClunie

Faculty of Medicine, Department of Surgery & Cancer

Honorary Research Fellow
 
 
 
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Contact

 

g.clunie Website

 
 
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Location

 

202Sir Michael Uren HubWhite City Campus

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Summary

 

Publications

Citation

BibTex format

@article{Chadd:2023:10.1108/JICA-07-2022-0038,
author = {Chadd, K and Chalmers, S and Harrall, K and Moyse, K and Clunie, G},
doi = {10.1108/JICA-07-2022-0038},
journal = {Journal of Integrated Care: Practical evidence for service improvement},
pages = {375--388},
title = {An evaluation of speech and language therapy services for people with long COVID in the UK: a call for integrated care},
url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/JICA-07-2022-0038},
volume = {31},
year = {2023}
}
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RIS format (EndNote, RefMan)

TY  - JOUR
AB  - PurposeLong COVID is a complex and highly heterogeneous condition with a variable symptom profile, and calls have been made for an integrated care approach to be taken for its management. To date, no studies have explored speech and language therapy services or needs associated with long COVID. This service evaluation aimed to gauge the level of demand on speech and language therapy services for individuals with long COVID in the UK; their clinical needs, the organisational arrangements of services and the barriers and facilitators of delivering quality care.Design/methodology/approachA service evaluation was undertaken via distribution of an online survey to speech and language therapists (SLTs) receiving referrals for individuals with long COVID. Analysis was completed using descriptive statistics, with thematic analysis to evaluate qualitative data.FindingsOne hundred and eleven SLTs responded. Eighty-six percent were seeing individuals with long COVID in their “everyday” service, in uni- or multi-disciplinary teams, without any “dedicated” resource. Dysphagia and dysphonia were the most reported symptoms. Most respondents (66.7%) indicated the individuals they were seeing were of working age, and that an individuals' speech and language therapy needs were impacting their wellbeing. Perceived barriers to quality care included fragmented and non-integrated care pathways. Multi-disciplinary and integrated working was a key enabler.Originality/valueThis study provides novel insights into the current speech and language therapy needs of and care pathways for individuals with long COVID in the UK SLTs have unique expertise and are integral to supporting individuals with long COVID and should be a part of integrated care teams.
AU  - Chadd,K
AU  - Chalmers,S
AU  - Harrall,K
AU  - Moyse,K
AU  - Clunie,G
DO  - 10.1108/JICA-07-2022-0038
EP  - 388
PY  - 2023///
SN  - 1476-9018
SP  - 375
TI  - An evaluation of speech and language therapy services for people with long COVID in the UK: a call for integrated care
T2  - Journal of Integrated Care: Practical evidence for service improvement
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/JICA-07-2022-0038
UR  - https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/JICA-07-2022-0038/full/html
UR  - http://hdl.handle.net/10044/1/100163
VL  - 31
ER  -
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