Feature article from 'Communicating Voice'
Voice Clinic Survey 04
A summary of the significant results of the 2004 Voice Clinic survey. Completed questionnaires were received from 56 clinics
We asked: Which professions work in your clinic?
You said: In a majority of clinics (75%) both SLTs and ENT consultants are present.
We asked: Does your clinic have an attendance protocol?
You said: A protocol existed
in 27% of clinics.
We asked: What is the average waiting time?
You said: There was significant divergence in waiting times, varying between 0 to 20 weeks.
We asked: Is there a fast-track process for urgent referrals?
You said: You said: a majority of clinics (61%) have a fast-track process.
We asked: Who performs nasendoscopy in the clinic?
You said: In the majority of
clinics (75%), nasendoscopy was performed only
by ENT consultants.
We asked: Is there a parallel SLT-led clinic?
You said: No in 80%
of clinics.
We asked: Who performs the diagnosis?
You said: In only 23% of
clinics was the diagnosis jointly made with the
ENT consultant and SLT.
We asked: Has the clinic been involved in any audits in the past year
or
will it be during the coming year?
You said: Half of clinics had and half had not.
We asked: What are the strengths of your clinic?
You said:
– Multi-disciplinary working & learning
– Improved diagnosis & clearer management/ treatment plans
– Good access to equipment
– Improved patient compliance
– Objective measures recorded
– Instant feedback to patient on state of larynx
– SLT role clearer to patients
– Opportunities for peer support & guidance/training for junior staff, students, etc
– Longer time spent with patients
We asked: What are the weaknesses of your clinic?
You said:
– Patients not always prepared for clinic set-up & procedures
– Inappropriate referrals
– Lack of ENT staff, psychology input & appropriate equipment
– Overbooked clinics, lack of time & time consuming admin
– Clinics held too infrequently
– Poor multi-disciplinary team working