Understanding how primary care practitioners can be supported to recognise, screen and initially diagnose oropharyngeal dysphagia: protocol for a behavioural science realist review.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Oropharyngeal dysphagia (OD) affects around 15% of older people; however, it is often unrecognised and underdiagnosed until patients are hospitalised. Screening is an important process which aims to facilitate proactive assessment, diagnosis and management of health conditions. Healthcare systems do not routinely screen for OD in older people, and healthcare professionals (HCPs) are largely unaware of the need to screen. This realist review aims to identify relevant literature and develop programme theories to understand what works, for whom, under what circumstances and how, to facilitate primary care HCPs to recognise, screen and initially diagnose OD.

Methods and analysis

We will follow five steps for undertaking a realist review: (1) clarify the scope, (2) l

SUBMITTER: Smith C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9944651 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature