Study on the Status of Dysphagia Rehabilitation / 대한연하장애학회지

ABSTRACT

Objective@#The purpose of this study was to identify the current status of dysphagia therapy administered by occupational therapists in Korea as well as to obtain basic data to explore the development direction of dysphagia therapy. @*Methods@#This study surveyed occupational therapists who underwent rehabilitation therapy for swallowing disorders in general hospitals, rehabilitation hospitals, and nursing hospitals from April 2019 to September 2019.Resdults According to the results of the survey, dysphagia therapy has been actively conducted in rehabilitation hospitals, nursing hospitals, and general hospitals. In the area of dysphagia therapy, increased intervention of pediatric patients and psychiatric patients was confirmed, and various intervention methods such as compensation and restorative methods were applied. The results of this study confirm the importance of a structured environment along with the necessity of a systematic intervention system. Therapists who performed dysphagia therapy recognize the importance of evidence-based practice, but the application of evidence-based practice is proportionally low. @*Conclusion@#It was confirmed that dysphagia rehabilitation growing both quantitatively and qualitatively in the short period of 20 years after supported by insurance. In addition, due to the systematic evaluation and provision of appropriate treatments according to the symptoms, dysphagia rehabilitation is firmly established as the main area of occupational therapy.