Understanding supervisors’ perspective on clinical incompetencies and challenges in dysphagia training for speech-language therapy students

Ahmad Nordin, Natrah and Mohamed Zain, Nor Azrita and Dzulkarnain, Ahmad Aidil Arafat and Abdul Wahab, Norsila (2025) Understanding supervisors’ perspective on clinical incompetencies and challenges in dysphagia training for speech-language therapy students. International Journal of Allied Health Sciences, 9 (SUPP3). pp. 465-477. E-ISSN 2600-8491

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Abstract

Background: Improvements in clinical education for speech-language therapy students can be made by identifying common areas of clinical incompetency. This study aimed to explore supervisors’ perceptions of undergraduate students’ clinical incompetencies and challenges during dysphagia training. Methods: An online survey was developed and distributed to speech-language therapy supervisors in Malaysia. The survey was designed to explore supervisors’ perceptions of students’ clinical incompetencies and challenges during dysphagia training. The responses for 4-point Likert scale questions were analysed descriptively. Then, further analysis was done using repeatedmeasures ANOVA to compare the means of the categories. For open-ended questions, thematic analysis was carried out. Results: A total of 11 supervisors participated in the study. Students demonstrated the highest levels of incompetency in the Management and Planning (92.41%) and FEES (83.64%) categories, followed by Case Notes (86.36%) and Case History (83.63%). Despite nonsignificant statistical differences, effect sizes highlighted FEES and Management and Planning as the most practically important areas of student incompetence.On the other hand, challenges in dysphagia training were categorized into those related to the student and those related to the clinical environment. Contributing factors included limited theoretical understanding, difficulty applying knowledge to practice, low confidence, and restricted clinical exposure. Supervisors recommended enhancing training approaches, strengthening theoretical instruction, and improving access to appropriate facilities and resources. Conclusion: The findings highlight key areas where students face difficulties in achieving clinical competence in dysphagia management. Future research should involve larger and more diverse samples, incorporating perspectives from students and academic staff to further inform curriculum development and promote safer, more effective dysphagia management practices

Item Type:	Article (Journal)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Speech-language therapy; dysphagia;training; competency
Subjects:	L Education > L Education (General) L Education > LB Theory and practice of education R Medicine > R Medicine (General)
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Allied Health Sciences Kulliyyah of Allied Health Sciences > Department of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology
Depositing User:	Dr Natrah Ahmad Nordin
Date Deposited:	29 Jul 2026 16:04
Last Update:	29 Jul 2026 16:04
Queue Number:	2026-07-Q4452
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/130225

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