Developing novice analysts’ videofluoroscopic swallowing study skills in speech-language pathology: A randomised control trial comparing blended and online training approaches

Abstract

Purpose

This research investigates the relative effectiveness of independent online and blended learning approaches for novice analysts’ development of videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) analytical skills. The secondary aims were to explore the impact of training on decision-making and to describe learners’ perspectives of training outcomes.

Method

Undergraduate speech-language pathology students (n = 74) who had completed the dysphagia academic curriculum in an undergraduate speech-language pathology program were recruited for a randomised control trial. The ability to identify swallowing impairments in adults was compared pre- and post-training across three conditions: independent online (n = 23), peer-supported (n = 23), and expert-facilitated training (n = 28). The training comprised online VFSS training and practice with a commercially available digital video disc (DVD).

Result

The three training approaches were equal in improving novice analysts’ identification of impairments on VFSS. Participants’ analysis improved pre- to post-training (p = <.001), with no statistical difference amongst training conditions (p = .280). However, the expert facilitation condition resulted in better decision-making skill for novice analysts, as well as higher levels of confidence and greater engagement in the learning.

Conclusion

Well-designed independent online methods are appropriate to prepare novice analysts for VFSS analytical training. Expert facilitation and peer-supported environments may have benefits for more advanced skill development and engagement, and should be investigated in future studies.

Keywords:

• VFSS
• training
• blended
• online
• dysphagia
• swallow

Ethics statement

This randomised control trial study was approved by The Australian Catholic University Human Research Ethics Committee (2017-244ERC).

Disclosure statement

The authors report no declarations of interest.

Supplemental material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/17549507.2023.2212142.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by the Australian Government Research Training Program and a Griffith University Postgraduate Research Scholarship.