Dysphagia Therapy: The New Generation ecourse

Course overview

The new world of dysphagia therapy will have to yield greater results and shorter treatment times. Gone is the old treatment philosophy focused on compensatory strategies and downgrading of diets. The dysphagia therapist must learn to see the direct links between anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, and grading therapy up to challenging levels. This course will review the process of the swallow from anticipatory phase through esophageal, including muscle function and nerve innervation. A thorough chart review and medication history is critical to identify key information prior to a swallow screen and bedside eval. Sensory changes due to aging and disease processes impacting the patient's nutrition and diet selection will be discussed. Current research will be presented regarding stroke, Parkinson's Disease, ALS, MS, Head/Neck cancer and other disease processes resulting in dysphagia - what can we expect in each phase of swallow and how it relates to our therapy program. MBS and FEES clips of dysfunctional swallows will be reviewed and reports critiqued. Diet modification/selection, compensatory strategies and exercises are combined to provide optimum nutrition and hydration as well as muscle re-education to increase the effectiveness of the swallow. Documentation of patient, staff, and family education and therapy notes will be critiqued for content and skilled therapy documentation.