@article{Patterson:2020:10.1111/1460-6984.12565,
author = {Patterson, JM and Govender, R and Roe, J and Clunie, G and Murphy, J and Brady, G and Haines, J and White, A and Carding, P},
doi = {10.1111/1460-6984.12565},
journal = {International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders},
pages = {806--817},
title = {COVID-19 and ENT SLT services, workforce and research in the UK: A discussion paper},
url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1460-6984.12565},
volume = {55},
year = {2020}
}

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TY  - JOUR
AB  - BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic and the UK government's subsequent coronavirus action plan have fundamentally impacted on every aspect of healthcare. One area that is severely affected is ear, nose and throat (ENT)/laryngology where speech and language therapists (SLTs) engage in a diverse range of practice with patients with a range of conditions, including voice disorders, airway problems, and head and neck cancers (HNCs). A large majority of these patients are in high-risk categories, and many specialized clinical practices are vulnerable. In addition, workforce and research issues are challenged in both the immediate context and the future. AIMS: To discuss the threats and opportunities from the COVID-19 pandemic for SLTs in ENT/laryngology with specific reference to clinical practice, workforce and research leadership. METHODS & PROCEDURES: The relevant sections of the World Health Organisation's (WHO) health systems building blocks framework (2007) were used to structure the study. Expert agreement was determined by an iterative process of multiple-group discussions, the use of all recent relevant policy documentation, and other literature and shared documentation/writing. The final paper was verified and agreed by all authors. MAIN CONTRIBUTION: The main threats to ENT/laryngology SLT clinical services include increased patient complexity related to COVID-19 voice and airway problems, delayed HNC diagnosis, reduced access to instrumental procedures and inequitable care provision. The main clinical opportunities include the potential for new modes of service delivery and collaborations, and harnessing SLT expertise in non-instrumental assessment. There are several workforce issues, including redeployment (and impact on current services), training implications and psychological impact on staff. Workforce opportunities exist for service innovation and potential extended ENT/SLT practice roles. Research is threatened by a reduction in immediate funding call
AU  - Patterson,JM
AU  - Govender,R
AU  - Roe,J
AU  - Clunie,G
AU  - Murphy,J
AU  - Brady,G
AU  - Haines,J
AU  - White,A
AU  - Carding,P
DO  - 10.1111/1460-6984.12565
EP  - 817
PY  - 2020///
SN  - 1368-2822
SP  - 806
TI  - COVID-19 and ENT SLT services, workforce and research in the UK: A discussion paper
T2  - International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1460-6984.12565
UR  - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32770652
VL  - 55
ER  - 

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