Exploring perceptions of factors aiding the development of critical thinking in adult dysphagia: A study among fourth-year speech-language pathology students.

Background: The assessment and management of adult dysphagia in South Africa is complex as appropriate intervention requires a balance of theoretical knowledge and critical thinking to ensure service delivery is appropriate within a resource-constrained health care system. Critical thinking involves the skilful evaluation of information to make informed decisions for effective assessment and intervention. It is imperative for Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) to cultivate these skills from an early stage in their careers.

Epidemiology and demographics of head and neck cancer in Africa: A scoping review.

Background: Low- to middle-income countries account for 70% of global cancer deaths. Evidence of the changing prevalence of head and neck cancer in Africa in terms of gender, race and epidemiology will inform future research and health planning.

Aim: To synthesise epidemiological literature for head and neck cancer in Africa from 2010 to 2020.

Third party disability of family members of adults with dysphagia.

Background: Third-party disability (TPD) has been studied in multiple patients including those with aphasia and hearing loss. Only one study has been done in relation to caregivers of adults with dysphagia. Third-party disability has been analysed using the International Classification of Function and Disability (ICF) framework.

Feeding practices in public hospitals' neonatal intensive care units: An exploration into the ways in which COVID-19 affected the best practice in Gauteng.

Background:  South Africa's healthcare system has a multitude of pre-existing challenges prior to the onset of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, ranging from reduced number of staff, lack of resources and units being at overcapacity both in the adult and paediatric populations. The neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) require a team approach to ensure best practice with vulnerable infants, but little is known about how the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resultant lockdown restrictions impacted the feeding practices within the NICU.

Objectives:  This study aimed to explore the impact that COVID-19 had on the feeding practices within the NICU settings in public hospitals in Gauteng.

Decision making and the bedside assessment: The Speech Language Therapists' thinking when making a diagnosis at the bed.

Background: The bedside assessment is often seen as a screener because of its high variability in sensitivity and specificity, whilst the instrumental measures are viewed as gold standards because of the ability of speech-language therapist (SLT) to visualise the swallow more objectively.

Objectives: This research article explores how the value needs to be placed on the decision-making abilities of the SLT rather than on the assessment measure itself.

Method: A mixed methodology concurrent triangulation design was employed to collect data in two phases: the first phase included observing seven SLTs conducting assessments using a standardised bedside measure together with pulse oximetry and cervical auscultation.