title: Provision of dysphagia services in a developing nation: Infrastructural challenges.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of the current study was to explore infrastructure issues that may be barriers to the establishment and improvement of dysphagia services in Malaysia compared to settings with established dysphagia management services (i.e. Queensland, Australia).
  
  
  METHODS
  A mixed method design incorporating quantitative and qualitative data was used to increase credibility, validity and comprehensiveness of the results. Thirty-eight hospitals (Malaysia = 21, Queensland = 17) participated in Phase 1 (quantitative component) of the study involving completion of an infrastructure checklist by a speech-language pathologist from each hospital regarding availability of networking and communication, staffing and financial support, facilities and documentation of guidelines for dysphagia management. Subsequently, eight sub-samples from each cohort were then involved in Phase 2 (qualitative component) of the study involving a semi-structured interview on issues related to the impact of infrastructure availability or constraints on service provision.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The current study reveals that multiple challenges exist with regard to dysphagia services in Malaysian government hospitals compared to Queensland public hospitals.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Overall, it was identified that service improvement in Malaysia requires change at a systems and structures level, but also, more importantly, at the individual/personal level, particularly focusing on the culture, behaviour and attitudes among the staff regarding dysphagia services.
authors: a School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia , Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia.
authors: Rahayu
authors: R
authors: Mustaffa Kamal
authors: b Centre for Functioning and Health Research, Queensland Health , Brisbane , Australia.|c School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland , Brisbane , Australia.
authors: Elizabeth Celeste
authors: EC
authors: Ward
authors: d Metro North Health Service District, Queensland Health , Brisbane , Australia.|e Behavioural Basis of Health Program, Griffith Health Institute, Griffith University , Brisbane , Australia.
authors: Petrea
authors: P
authors: Cornwell
authors: a School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia , Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia.
authors: Shobha
authors: S
authors: Sharma
keywords: Infrastructure; developing nation; dysphagia management; service provision; speech-language pathologist