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Auditing voice therapy in the management of vocal nodules and Reinke's oedema
Author(s) -
NESBITT RUTH,
UNDAH LYNN BUSBY
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
international journal of language and communication disorders
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.101
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1460-6984
pISSN - 1368-2822
DOI - 10.1111/j.1460-6984.1995.tb01660.x
Subject(s) - audit , medicine , voice therapy , referral , voice training , speech therapy , intervention (counseling) , physical therapy , medical record , family medicine , audiology , surgery , psychiatry , management , economics
This audit project was undertaken by members of a voice specific interest group (SIG) in order to examine current practice in the management of selected voice patients. The study focused on patients referred to speech and language therapy with a diagnosis of vocal nodule(s) (VN) and/or Reinke's oedema (RO). The findings of the audit will be used to inform discussions between SIG members and members of the Regional Medical Audit Group (ENT), with a view to collaborative standard setting and future inter‐disciplinary audit activity. Across four health boards, all therapists accepting voice referrals were invited to randomly select and retrospectively review the case notes of 10 patients discharged from their clinic (5 VN and 5 RO) and complete a questionnaire for each patient, giving specific information in respect of referral, assessment, therapy and outcome measures. Eleven therapists from 10 Trusts/District Management Units (DMUs) participated in the audit. Data was submitted on 86 cases: 42 VN; 41 RO and three both VN and RO. Data analysis indicates that therapists receive most referrals directly from ENT (92%), that the majority of patients (87%) have normal or improved voice post‐therapy without surgical intervention and that the voice outcome following therapy is better for VN patients (91% normal or improved) than for RO patients (83% normal or improved). Most patients referred for therapy post‐laryngeal surgery did not achieve normal voice. Improved vocal cord status was reported post‐therapy for 64% RO patients and 72% VN patients. Overall, 75% of patients completed therapy within six months. The findings support the view that vocal nodules and Reinke's oedema can be managed effectively with voice therapy.