Dysphagia: An Overview for Occupational Therapists
While swallowing evaluation and treatment are considered entry level skills for occupational therapy professionals, they may not have many opportunities to practice these skills. It is important to review your foundational knowledge of dysphagia evaluation and treatment. This information is critical for an occupational therapist to integrate into their treatment plan and to ensure successful interprofessional care to help promote better patient outcomes. This course provides a short review of the anatomy and physiology of normal swallowing and an in-depth discussion of typical impairments resulting in dysphagia. Learners will be able to recognize the clinical presentation of dysphagia, integration of clinical presentations into treatment, intervention strategies to support SLP treatments and diet modifications, and interprofessional collaboration strategies for the team to support and reinforce patient adherence and compliance with safe swallow strategies.
While swallowing evaluation and treatment are considered entry level skills for occupational therapy professionals, they may not have many opportunities to practice these skills. It is important to review your foundational knowledge of dysphagia evaluation and treatment. This information is critical for an occupational therapist to integrate into their treatment plan and to ensure successful interprofessional care to help promote better patient outcomes. This course provides a short review of the anatomy and physiology of normal swallowing and an in-depth discussion of typical impairments resulting in dysphagia. Learners will be able to recognize the clinical presentation of dysphagia, integration of clinical presentations into treatment, intervention strategies to support SLP treatments and diet modifications, and interprofessional collaboration strategies for the team to support and reinforce patient adherence and compliance with safe swallow strategies.
Alabama State Board of Occupational Therapy
Alabama State Board Of Occupational Therapy (CEBroker Provider #50-290).
Occupational Therapists will receive 1.00 contact hours for participating in this course.
American Occupational Therapy Association
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Relias LLC is an AOTA Approved Provider of professional development. Course approval ID# APP#0000002429. This Distance Learning-Independent is offered at 0.1 CEUs, Introductory, Occupational Therapy Service Delivery, Foundational Knowledge. The assignment of AOTA CEUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by AOTA.
Arizona Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners
Arizona Board Of Occupational Therapy Examiners (CEBroker Provider #50-290).
Occupational Therapists will receive 1.00 contact hours for participating in this course.
Florida Board of Occupational Therapy
Florida Board of Occupational Therapy (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Occupational Therapists will receive 1.00 contact hours.
Georgia State Board of Occupational Therapy
Georgia State Board of Occupational Therapy (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Occupational Therapists will receive 1.00 contact hours for participating in this course.
Louisiana State Board Medical Examiners- Occupational Therapy
Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners - Occupational Therapy (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Occupational Therapists will receive 1.00 contact hours for participating in this course.
Mississippi State Department of Health- Occupational Therapy
Mississippi State Department of Health- Occupational Therapy (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Occupational Therapists will receive 1.00 contact hours for participating in this course.
South Carolina Board of Occupational Therapy
South Carolina Board Of Occupational Therapy (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Occupational Therapists will receive 1.00 contact hours for participating in this course.
Tennessee Board of Occupational Therapy
Tennessee Board of Occupational Therapy (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Occupational Therapists will receive 1.00 contact hours for participating in this course.
Recall the basic anatomy and physiology of the swallowing mechanism.
Recognize at least three signs of dysphagia and aspiration.
Identify the types of and indications for diet modification.
Identify interventions to support interprofessional treatment strategies.
Outline:
Section 1: Introduction
About This Course
Learning Objectives
Section 2: Occupational Therapy Role and Scope of Practice
The Role of Occupational Therapy
Scope of Practice
Importance of Collaboration
Review
Summary
Section 3: Anatomy and Physiology
Overview
Anatomical Structures
Key Definitions
Physiology of Swallow
Abnormal Swallow
Screening
Meet Marie
Review
Summary
Section 4: Assessment
Patient History and Observation
Checking on Marie
Oral Peripheral Examination
Introduce Food and Liquid
Marie’s Bedside Swallow Assessment
Instrumental Assessments
Review
Summary
Section 5: Treatment Planning and Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Treatment Interventions
Compensatory Swallowing Strategies
Understanding Diet Consistencies
Free Water Protocol
Recommendations and Referral Options
Interprofessional Collaboration
Treatment Plan for Marie
Section 6: Conclusion
Course Summary
Course Contributors
Resources
References
Congratulations!
Norma Jo Majerus, MS/CCC-SLP, is a certified and licensed speech-language pathologist with over 25 years of experience in various post-acute care settings. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in speech-language pathology from the University of Iowa and her Master of Science degree in special education and communication disorders from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. She worked with adult clients with a variety of diagnostic conditions in long-term care, outpatient, and home health settings. In her previous role as a clinical practice specialist for Aegis Therapies, she created training programs for physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology related to the clinical rehabilitation needs of the older adult in post-acute care. She provided mentorship and strategies for implementation of clinical programs and initiatives. She is a certified member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and is licensed in both Iowa and Nebraska as a speech-language pathologist.Reviewer: Christopher Meketansky, MS, OTR/L
Writer: Susan Almon-Matangos, MS, CCC-SLPChristopher Meketansky OTR/L graduated from Stony Brook University in 2017 with a Master of Science Degree in Occupational Therapy. He received training in manual therapy, specialized treatment for individuals with degenerative neurological disorders and post-stroke neurorehabilitation. He has worked in skilled nursing and home healthcare settings with experience treating patients with dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, balance impairments, and a myriad of other conditions impacting the older adult population.
Susan Almon-Matangos, MS, CCC-SLP, is a certified and licensed speech-language pathologist with over 30 years of experience. She obtained her bachelor's degree in psychology from Jacksonville State University and her Master of Science degree in speech-language pathology from The University of Alabama. She worked with clients of all ages and a variety of diagnostic conditions in school, hospital, skilled nursing facility, outpatient clinic, and home health settings. In her previous role as a national clinical director for Aegis Therapies, she created training programs for physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology related to the clinical rehabilitation needs of older adults in post-acute care. She currently draws upon her expertise in her role at Relias as Lead Subject Matter Expert Writer for Speech-Language Pathology. She is a certified member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and the Pennsylvania Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
The target audience for this course is: Entry level Occupational Therapists; in the following settings: Rehabilitation Settings.
Asynchronous/Online Distance Learning; please see certificate details for specifics on delivery format.
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All courses offered by Relias, LLC are developed from a foundation of diversity, inclusiveness, and a multicultural perspective. Knowledge, values and awareness related to cultural competency are infused throughout the course content.
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To earn continuing education credit for this course you must achieve a passing score of 80% on the post-test and complete the course evaluation.
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