A lung transplant has become a frequent treatment option for patients with a variety of end-stage lung diseases. These patients have to be put through rigorous steps in order to deem themselves worthy of receiving this gift. After the transplant, there are potential complications that Speech Pathologists find themselves addressing. Knowledge base of lung disease and its impact on the swallowing, and breathing, creates a foundation for patients and their success. The lung transplant research highlights the underlying risks of an acute rejection and other injuries to the newly transplanted lung. Much of the research is related to esophageal phase dysphagia versus oral and pharyngeal dysphagia. The limited data on oropharyngeal dysphagia indicates that there is a dysphagia component which impact patient’s quality of life and well-being. The research also supports the use of Speech Pathology interventions to mitigate the aspiration risk.

Show notes available at: https://www.speechuncensored.com/podcastepisodes/s3e41

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On this episode, Brett McCardel and Leigh Ann dive into discourse analysis for your patients with Aphasia. Brett discusses the various resources available on AphasiaBank to assist clinicians with completing discourse analyses in everyday practice. This is especially helpful for our patients working on anomia in conversation. Show notes available at: https://www.speechuncensored.com/podcastepisodes/s3e40

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This course is meant to give clinicians an understanding of GERD (gastroesophageal reflux) and EOE (eosinophilic esophagitis), the similarities and differences between the two, how EOE may go undiagnosed, markers to look for as a clinician, when to refer for further testing and diagnostics, and how to provide the best treatment for patients with GERD or EOE.

Show Notes and Links: https://www.speechuncensored.com/podcastepisodes/s3e39

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This course will outline information necessary to initiate telepractice, including rules and regulations, population considerations, and navigating pitfalls to capitalize on the opportunities telepractice allows. Participants will learn how telepractice fits into the current and future view of speech-language pathology. Show Notes and Links: https://www.speechuncensored.com/podcastepisodes/s3e38

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Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) has been an instrumental tool used in adult intensive care units for many years. Adult intensivists have had education, training, and exposure to FEES to assess oropharyngeal physiology and direct appropriate treatment plans. Pediatric intensivists and neonatologists have had limited exposure to FEES and typically use videofluroscopic swallow studies (VFSS) as the gold standard for assessing dysphagia in infants. The purpose of this presentation is to review the role of FEES in a level three neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and pediatric cardiac intensive care unit (PCVICU). Physician perceptions and education/training provided to the critical care nurse will be discussed at length, including an online survey that was completed by pediatric intensivists, neonatologists, and nurses about the role of FEES and safety of FEES with infants.

Show Notes and Links: https://www.speechuncensored.com/podcastepisodes/s3e37

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Impacting life participation is an ideal goal for speech therapy, yet our therapy practices across clinical settings don’t always reflect a participation-focused approach. This course aims to describe why we care about targeting participation, what participation can look like in the therapeutic process, and how goals will be impacted and used when therapy is participation-focused with the adult neurogenic population.

Show notes: https://www.speechuncensored.com/podcastepisodes/s3e36

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With a scope of practice as wide as ours, it can be challenging to find your niche. This episode covers the journey of transitioning from clinician to consultant. There is a role for Speech and Language Pathologists in the corporate setting. Jason Hall will outline the key differences between a clinician and a consultant, the structure of a private practice built on a consultation model, and the role of an SLP in corporate settings.

Show notes: https://www.speechuncensored.com/podcastepisodes/s3e35

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This episode covers the importance of different types of voice evaluations for a whole client picture, and how to differentiate them all. We also discuss when each is appropriate and why. We explain each type of voice evaluation, and guide clinicians on what components to include in these different, but complementary, options for beginning voice therapy treatment.

Show notes: https://www.speechuncensored.com/podcastepisodes/s3e34

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Dysphagia negatively impacts the quality of life of patients and may lead to malnutrition, dehydration, aspiration pneumonia and even death (Foley et al., 2009). We, as speech-language pathologists, must be aware of the experience of living with dysphagia, as “swallowing problems evoke a host of distressing psychological responses such as anxiety, shame, embarrassment, fear, and reduced self-esteem” (McHorne et al.,  2000). These distressing psychological responses may affect the overall quality of life and life satisfaction; and therefore, swallowing assessments must be completed in consideration of the direction and goals of care of the patient and family. A palliative care team is vital in this aspect; deciphering patients’ wishes via medical orders for life-sustaining treatment, while providing an extra layer of support for the patient and family. Speech-language pathologists and palliative care professionals work together to effectively provide education and counseling to patients and their families regarding the progressive nature of a disease, dysphagia, and nutritional options. Nutritional options include oral intake, comfort feeds, and/or alternate means of nutrition/hydration. Information provided must be based on current research, following evidenced based practice. This collaboration and communication foster the patients cultural, spiritual, and personal ideas, promoting overall quality of life.

Show notes: https://www.speechuncensored.com/podcastepisodes/s3e33

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No matter what concerns a client presents with, each and every therapist must function as an educator during treatment. As such, having a clear understanding of health literacy is one of the cornerstones of being a good clinician-educator. Health literacy will not only help maximize patient outcomes, but also improve the patient experience by increasing independence and personal autonomy.

Show notes: https://www.speechuncensored.com/podcastepisodes/s3e32

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