How healthcare professionals support cough and secretion management in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS): a UK national survey

Objective

To understand the practices of healthcare professionals supporting people with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) to manage cough and secretion issues. This includes utilization of and confidence in assessment and treatment techniques and barriers and enablers of care.

Methods

An online cross-sectional survey was distributed to UK healthcare professionals involved in cough and/or secretion management care in people with ALS.

Results

A total of 113 responses were analyzed, over half were from physiotherapists (52%). The majority (71%) of respondents reported a role managing saliva and secretions. Just under two thirds (60%) routinely assessed cough and almost all (89%) routinely assessed secretions. Healthcare professionals reported reduced confidence assessing secretions compared with cough and very few (5%) used validated secretion outcome measures. Participants reported lower confidence implementing all treatment strategies than recommending them. Multiple barriers to care were identified, including access to specialist care and equipment, education and skills training and a lack of evidence-based care guidelines.

Conclusion

Cough and secretion management is complex and involves numerous professional groups. There is a need for clinical and educational interventions that address knowledge and skill gaps in managing cough and secretion issues, which will help increase healthcare professionals’ confidence in assessing and treating these complex problems.