2017 Volume 5 Pages 53-62
The purpose of this report is to describe the characteristics of the dilemmas experienced by Speech-Language-Hearing Therapists (ST) during treatment for swallowing disorders. The responses of 8 ST to semi-structured interviews were analyzed based on the grounded theory approach of Strauss and Corbin. Ten categories and one core category were identified. Four of these categories involved situations in which the ST were faced with dilemmas ; i. e., forcing the patient to participate in futile training, ending feeding rehabilitation, continuing with hazardous feeding, and feeling guilty about feeding. Three of these categories involved ethical dilemmas. The results of this study also suggest that ST are at increased risk of suffering compassion fatigue.
