Speech and language therapy in palliative care
Palliative care is an emerging specialty within the field of speech and language therapy. The discipline is currently under-represented both in specialist services and research. Many patients in the palliative phase suffer problems with swallowing (dysphagia) and communication, the core domains of speech and language therapy practice. This chapter provides an overview of difficulties encountered in these domains by people with life-limiting conditions together with common approaches to assessment and management. Assessment and management should be person-centred, integrated into multidisciplinary care, and seek to maintain function using minimal intervention for maximum gain. More research is needed to inform appropriately integrated, person-centred models of speech and language therapy provision that enable difficulties with communication and swallowing to be addressed proactively alongside other symptoms and care needs. Difficulties in these domains are currently under-identified and undertreated in many cases.