title: The speech-language pathologist's role in multidisciplinary burn care: An international perspective.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore international practices of speech-language pathology (SLP) within burn care in order to provide direction for education, training and clinical practice of the burns multidisciplinary team (MDT).
  
  
  METHODS
  A 17-item online survey was designed by two SLPs experienced in burn care with a range of dichotomous, multiple choice and open-ended response questions investigating the availability and scope of practice for SLPs associated with burn units. The survey was distributed via professional burn association gatekeepers. All quantitative data gathered were analysed using descriptive statistics and qualitative data were analysed using content analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 240 health professionals, from 6 different continents (37 countries) participated within the study. All continents reported access to SLP services. Referral criteria for SLP were largely uniform across continents. The most dominant area of SLP practice was assessment and management of dysphagia, which was conducted in concert with other members of the MDT.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SLP has an international presence within burn care that is currently still emerging.
authors.affiliation: School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Speech Pathology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia. Electronic address: a.rumbach@uq.edu.au.
authors.forename: Anna F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Rumbach
authors.affiliation: Speech Pathology Department & Burns Unit, Building 42, Hospital Rd, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2139, Australia. Electronic address: nicola.clayton@sswahs.nsw.gov.au.
authors.forename: Nicola A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Clayton
authors.affiliation: Stuart Pegg Adult Burns Centre, Level 4 James Mayne Building, Royal Brisbane & Women's Hospital, Butterfield Street, Herston, QLD 4029, Australia; Burns, Trauma & Critical Care Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. Electronic address: Michael.Muller@health.qld.gov.au.
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Muller
authors.affiliation: Burns Unit, Level 7, Hospital Rd, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2139, Australia. Electronic address: peter.maitz@sydney.edu.au.
authors.forename: Peter K M
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Maitz
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002053:Burn Units / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002056:Burns / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003286:Contracture / Q000150:complications; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D019033:Delivery of Health Care, Integrated / Q000458:organization & administration; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D007808:Language Therapy / Q000458:organization & administration*; D013064:Speech Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D013070:Speech Therapy / Q000458:organization & administration*; D013066:Speech-Language Pathology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
keywords: Burn injury; Communication; Multidisciplinary team; Referral criteria; Speech-language pathology; Swallowing