Laryngectomy management is an advanced area of practice for Speech Pathologists. The Speech Pathology Department at Eastern Health provides care for a small cohort of outpatients with laryngectomy, and for those who are admitted to their inpatient services. Knowledge gaps and lack of available resources including credentialed staff members to address emergency care needs for this cohort was identified due to low patient numbers, and decreased opportunities for practical skills-based training. When managing patients with a laryngectomy, the Speech Pathologist should act within their scope of practice and engage with credentialed staff however, further education was required for all Speech Pathologist’s working in the inpatient setting to have extra knowledge and confidence in managing emergency situations (i.e. leaking voice prosthesis, dislodged voice prosthesis, recognition of stoma stenosis). A working party was established, stakeholder engagement was conducted, and an e-learning package was created. The package has specific learning objectives, and is a resource for education, information, and knowledge building, in the aim of improving the clinician’s confidence in managing Speech Pathology emergency scenarios.

It’s effectiveness in furthering clinician’s knowledge, confidence and applicability to clinical practice will be based on the results of a post e-learning package survey of participants.  Methods for developing skills in the setting of reduced opportunities through patient, hands-on experience will be explored and implemented, such as SIM training, or skills stations.

1. Acknowledge Austin Health and their ATLAS Training modules.
2. Main Medical (2024). Laryngectomy. Doi: https://mainmed.com.au/collections/laryngectomy-collection.
3. Eastern Health (2024). Tracheostomy and Laryngectomy Hub via ilearn.
4. Speech Pathology Australia (2023). Laryngectomy practice guideline. Doi: guideline https://www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/resource?resource=124