Caregiver-Focused Evaluations to Assist Therapists in Addressing Family Mealtime Stress: A Doctoral Capstone Project

Abstract

This paper will discuss the doctoral capstone process and evaluate the findings of a quality improvement project focused on implementing mealtime-focused assessments with caregivers for therapists to better address the mealtime stress of families, thus creating caregiver-focused evaluations. Before beginning this study, a needs assessment was conducted at Feeding Friends, a pediatric feeding clinic in Indianapolis, to identify gaps in caregiver-focused evaluations within this organization. From there, a comprehensive literature review was conducted to further examine assessments and evidence-based strategies used in therapy to address mealtime stress in families of children with disabilities. Finally, a 14-week study took place examining the effectiveness of two different mealtime-focused assessments in better informing therapists of caregiver stress during the mealtime process. The therapists then completed pre-and post-surveys allowing the researchers to gather information regarding the use of the assessments as well as potential sustainability plans. Through these assessments, therapists successfully applied results to clinical practice while better addressing communication, goal development, and guidance with caregivers; therefore, resulting in improved caregiver-focused evaluations. Overall, therapists found the Wasemann Confidence Rating Scale to be the most beneficial assessment in achieving this goal.