Has aphasia therapy been swallowed up?
OBJECTIVE
To review the change in number of referrals to speech and language therapy for dysphasia and dysphagia over one decade.


METHODS
This retrospective study analyses data collected on an information system developed specifically for the use of speech and language therapists in the management of their services.


METHODS
Eleven health care providers used the system between 1985 and 1995 and recorded details of 73758 patients referred to speech and language therapy during that period.


RESULTS
Whilst there were 12 times as many dysphasic patients as dysphagic patients referred to speech and language therapy in 1987, the position was reversed by 1995 with twice as many dysphagic as dysphasic patients being referred to these services. Dysphagia in 1987 accounted for less than 1% of the referrals to speech and language therapy. This percentage increased, until in 1995 20% of referrals were for dysphagia.


CONCLUSIONS
No causal relationship between the changes in referral to speech and language therapy for these two groups has been established in this study. However, there has been a significant increase in referral to speech and language therapy of people with dysphagia. Whilst referrals for dysphasia have increased, they represent a lower percentage increase and now receive less treatment per case than in 1987.
Enderby
Pam
P
Institute of General Practice and Primary Care, University of Sheffield, Community Sciences Centre, Northern General Hospital, UK. p.m.enderby@sheffield.ac.uk
Petheram
Brian
B
D000328:Adult; D001037:Aphasia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002648:Child; D003628:Database Management Systems / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D007808:Language Therapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013070:Speech Therapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology