Table 4 Relationship between referral policies, frequency, intensity, and intervention time

Referral policy

2.13

0.30

 Patients are automatically referred to speech therapy before or during RT, even if they do not have dysphagia currently

2

1 (50.0)

1 (50.0)

 Patients are referred only after they developed a possible dysphagia

31

6 (19.4)

25 (80.6)

 There is no institutional policy, or referrals are to be made on a case-by-case basis

32

4 (12.5)

28 (87.5)

Frequency of home therapy recommended for patients during RT (prophylactic exercise)

13.93

0.004*

 Not recommended at this time

16

1 (6.2)

15 (93.8)

 2–3 days/week

11

6 (54.5)

5 (45.5)

 4–6 days/week

9

2 (22.2)

7 (77.8)

 7 days/week

27

2 (7.4)

25 (92.6)

The intensity of home program during RT (prophylactic exercise)

3.96

0.18

 Not recommended at this time

16

1 (6.2)

15 (93.8)

  < 10 min

18

2 (11.1)

16 (88.9)

  > 10 min

29

8 (27.6)

21 (72.4)

Frequency of home program for patients with no dysphagia

1.78

0.66

 Not recommended at this time

18

3 (16.7)

15 (83.3)

 2–3 days per week

25

6 (24.0)

19 (76.0)

 4–6 days per week

5

1 (7.1)

13 (92.9)

 7 days per week

14

1 (7.1)

13 (92.9)

Intensity of home program for patients with no dysphagia

1.19

0.65

 Not recommended at this time

18

3 (16.7)

15 (83.3)

  < 10 min

20

5 (25.0)

15 (75.0)

  > 10 min

24

3 (12.5)

21 (87.5)

Frequency of home program for patients after RT

12.58

0.007*

 Compensatory techniques

7

0 (0.0)

7 (100.0)

 2–3 days per week

5

2 (40.0)

3 (60.0)

 4–6 days per week

10

5 (50.0)

5 (50.0)

 7 days per week

42

4 (9.5)

38 (90.5)

Intensity of home program for patients after RT

1.36

0.57

 Not recommended at this time

1

0 (0.0)

1 (100.0)

  < 10 min

20

2 (10.0)

18 (90.0)

  > 10 min

43

9 (20.9)

34 (79.1)