Swallow Your Pride Podcast

The word “cancer” is often cloaked in feelings of uncertainty and fear - understandably so. But what can a medical SLP do to help? What’s our role in the world of oncology?

In this podcast episode, host Theresa Richard interviews Heather George about her experience as an SLP working with oncology patients and the role of palliative care in dysphagia management. They discuss the challenges of navigating treatment for patients with complex medical conditions, the importance of taking a holistic approach to patient care, and the need to address patient concerns and fears. They also touch on the difficulties of managing differing opinions among healthcare providers.

If you serve this population or hope to one day, this episode is for you.

Get the show notes with references at syppodcast.com/294

[00:03:29] The role of palliative care in dysphagia management

[00:04:27] Understanding the differences between rehabilitation and palliative care

[00:06:53] Considering the medical status and prognosis in dysphagia management

[00:10:31] The multifactorial components of swallowing difficulties

[00:10:40] Highlighting the need to consider the patient's specific diagnosis and how it impacts their swallowing difficulties.

[00:13:09] Managing the dynamic between providers and dysphagia treatment

[00:20:32] Importance of reflecting on personal biases as clinicians and how it can influence communication with patients and physicians.

[00:21:37] The impact of presenting information in a fear-inducing manner and the importance of discussing risks and benefits in a balanced way.

[00:22:25] The speaker's personal experience of realizing the need to present both professional and personal perspectives when discussing treatment options with patients and their families.

[00:29:05] Understanding the Patient's Medical Condition

[00:30:06] Collaborating with the Medical Team

[00:32:16] Navigating Difficult Conversations

[00:38:20]Palliative Team Consultation

[00:39:42] Exploration of consulting the ethics department for added insight and evaluation in complex situations.

[00:40:43] Supporting Patients Transitioning to Hospice

[00:48:26] Being cognizant of language and writing in a more respectful and patient-centered way.

The post 294 – SLPs and Cancer: What’s our role? appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

So a patient walks into a fluoroscopy suite, points to their throat, and says “I have trouble swallowing.”

You do the VFSS, and their oropharynx looks…okay! Maybe even within normal limits!

Now what?

*The esophagus has entered the chat*

In this podcast episode, Theresa Richard interviews Dr. Watts, a speech-language pathologist, researcher, and clinician scientist at the University of South Florida known for her work with esophageal dysphagia. 

Get the show notes: https://syppodcast.com/293

The passion for esophageal dysphagia [00:02:19]

The post 293 – The Esophagus Has Entered the Chat: Understanding and Addressing Esophageal Dysphagia with Dr. Watts appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

Exploring diet consistencies (including the great bread debate)...

Identifying barriers of modified barium swallow studies (and what to do about them)...

Encountering tough pills to swallow (literally)…

☝️ These are just three of the topics Theresa Richard and Gavin Levy discuss in the most recent episode of the Swallow Your Pride Podcast!

Together, Theresa and Gavin look at evidence-based practices for medical SLPs while sharing their personal experiences on the job. Through this discussion, key takeaways focus on involving SLPs in dietary conversations, clinical documentation verbiage that reflects dietary needs when designing menus, and collaborating with caregivers, dieticians, and other medical professionals to further gain knowledge and improve patient outcomes.

Timestamps:

Implementations of Soft and Bite Size Diets: The Role of SLPs (05:44 - 10:58)

The post 292 – How We Practice and What We Consider: A Discussion on Clinical Experience and Evidence with Gavin Levy appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

“Every unique symptom is a call to explore beyond the known territories of our field.” -Autumn Henning, MS, CCC-SLP, COM, IBCLC

☝️Who can argue with that?

In this podcast episode, Theresa welcomes Autumn Henning as her guest, who specializes in infant and pediatric feeding and orofacial functional disorders. They discuss the importance of practice-based evidence, collaboration, functioning vs functional therapy, and trying different treatment strategies. They emphasize the need to consider the bigger picture and connect different systems in the body. Finally, Theresa and Autumn touch on a component of therapy we’re all too familiar with: provider burnout and the significance of self-care. 

Tune in to today’s Swallow Your Pride Podcast episode: Oral Dysfunction Can Lead to That? Discussions with an Orofacial Functional Specialist.

Get the handout here: https://syppodcast.com/291

Timestamps:

The post 291 – Oral Dysfunction Can Lead to That? Discussions with an Orofacial Functional Specialist. appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

Pediatric feeding difficulties aren’t just physical…they can be traumatic, too. 

While everyone can agree that caring for and nourishing our little ones is a top priority, access to the research and knowledge on pediatric feeding disorders remains elusive. Why? What can be done about it? And what should medical SLPs understand?

In this podcast episode, host Theresa Richard interviews Jaclyn Pederson, the CEO of Feeding Matters, a nonprofit organization focused on pediatric feeding disorders. They discuss their personal experiences with pediatric feeding disorders and the importance of a holistic approach to addressing feeding issues. They also touch on topics such as the challenges of conducting research in the field, the importance of evidence-based practice in feeding therapy, and the difficulties of integrating feeding therapy into insurance coverage. They emphasize the need for ongoing support for families and the importance of recognizing and addressing the trauma involved in feeding difficulties. Overall, the episode highlights the work of Feeding Matters in advocating for and supporting those affected by pediatric feeding disorders.

Get the notes and handouts here: https://syppodcast.com/290

Timestamps:

 [00:02:23]  Pediatric Feeding Disorder Awareness Month

 [00:06:35]  The Consensus Paper on Pediatric Feeding Disorder

 [00:07:40] The Need for Identifying Pediatric Feeding Disorder

 [00:09:47] The importance of awareness and recognition of feeding difficulties

 [00:11:55] The need for further research and education in feeding

 [00:18:35] Challenges in implementing evidence-based practice in feeding

[00:19:41] Importance of evidence-based practice and considering the clinician's experience and family's expectations in treatment.

 [00:20:49] Challenges when research doesn't align with personal experiences, the need for a global approach, and the importance of considering the family's dynamics in treatment.

[00:22:46] The need for space to adapt treatment approaches, the readiness of families to receive information, and the integration of therapy into the natural home feeding environment.

[00:29:25] Insurance Challenges

 [00:30:21] Integration of Feeding Therapy into Insurance

 [00:36:28] Healing Feeding Trauma

 [00:37:38] The Trauma Involved with Feeding

 [00:39:08] The Impact of Trauma on Feeding

 [00:41:14] Supporting Parents and Caregivers

The post 290 – Understanding Pediatric Feeding Disorders: Insights from Feeding Matters CEO Jaclyn Pederson appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

How confident are you in your trach and vent knowledge?

What about the interprofessional collaboration, patient advocacy, and therapeutic techniques we should be fighting for with this population? 

In this episode of the Swallow Your Pride Podcast, Rachael Silveira, a passionate tracheostomy specialist, teamed up with Dr. Nicole López, a surgical critical care fellow, to address the gaps in tracheostomy care they witnessed. They noticed that patients were falling through the cracks and not receiving the optimal care they deserved. And let me tell you, their journey to revolutionize tracheostomy care is nothing short of awe-inspiring.

Get the show notes at: https://syppodcast.com/289

[00:02:48] Collaboration and Advocacy for Tracheostomy Care

[00:06:41] Roles of Surgeons and Speech-Language Pathologists in Tracheostomy Care

[00:09:15] Culture Shift in Tracheostomy Care

[00:10:17] Gaining Knowledge in Tracheostomy Care

[00:11:50] Collaboration and Education in Tracheostomy Management

[00:18:02] Inline pacing and ventilator settings

[00:19:26] Collaboration between SLPs and physicians

[00:22:39] Setting patients up for success in the next level of care

[00:26:17]Collaboration and Communication in Tracheostomy Care

[00:27:25]The Impact of Providing a Voice to Patients

[00:28:02] The Ideal Course and Setup for Tracheostomy Care

[00:34:26] Evaluating Secretions and Managing Tracheostomy

[00:35:09] Tube Exchange and Downsize Considerations

[00:39:00] Collaboration and Communication in Tracheostomy Care

[00:43:49] Importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in tracheostomy care and patient outcomes.

[00:44:01] Challenges in tracheostomy management and the need for better communication and education.

[00:45:11] Advocacy for the use of fees (Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing) in tracheostomy patients and its impact on patient care.

The post 289 – Tracheostomy Care Isn’t What It Used to Be: Insights from an SLP and a Surgeon appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

Disarming SLPs… Guiding SLPs… Standing by SLP…

And in part 2 of our mentors episode, MedSLP Ed Mentors Isabel, George, Jessica, and Lori continue to share their humanizing insights into the world of medical SLP mentorship and bring heartwarming stories to the discussion.

Stories like perseverance in the fluoroscopy suite when a young SLP felt the pressure to call it quits - but she chose a different route…

All thanks to the right mentorship.

This episode is a celebration of mentorship and its profound impact on our professional journeys. I hope it sparks your curiosity and inspires you to either seek a mentor or become one.

Remember, mentorship doesn't have to be a formal, long-term commitment. It can be as simple as sharing a piece of advice, a resource, or a word of encouragement.

So, are you ready to dive into the world of mentorship? Tune into our latest podcast episode and let's explore this journey together!

The student mentorship success story [00:01:06]

Accomplishments of mentees [00:03:56]

Successes of mentees [00:05:50]

The importance of collaborative mentorship [00:10:40]

Creating a supportive and relaxed mentoring environment [00:11:48]

Finding common ground in mentorship [00:16:03]

The importance of mentorship [00:20:41]

Finding the right mentor [00:21:54]

Recognizing when to move on from a mentor [00:23:03]

Get the Show Notes: https://syppodcast.com/288

The post 288 – Disarming SLPs and Unleashing Potential: From Supporting through Sticky Situations to Celebrating Successes, They’ve seen it all. appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

Four med SLPs come together and spill the beans on how SLPs can grow their careers and confidence like never before.  It all boils down to one simple word… Mentorship.

In this episode of the Swallow Your Pride podcast, host Theresa Richard and a group of med SLP mentors dive deep into the world of mentoring and its impact on their careers *as well as* the careers of those they’ve mentored.

Guests Isabel Lawton, George Barnes, Jessica Gregor, and Dr. Lori Burkhead Morgan share their personal experiences with mentorship, from finding mentors during externships to creating supportive environments for colleagues. They emphasize the importance of collaboration and the reciprocal nature of mentorship, where both mentors and mentees can learn and grow.

But mentorship doesn't have to be formal or long-term. It can be as simple as reaching out to someone for advice and support. The speakers discuss different mentorship styles and how they can adapt to meet the needs of each individual. They also share success stories, where mentorship led to job promotions, program implementations, and positive changes in patient care.

So, if you're ready to take your career to the next level, don't underestimate the power of mentorship. Tune in to this episode and discover how seeking guidance can transform your professional growth. Subscribe, leave reviews, and share the podcast to spread the word about the importance of mentorship in the field of speech-language pathology.

Get the show notes: https://syppodcast.com/287

Find out more about the MedSLP Ed Certification Program: https://medslped.com/certification

[00:01:13] Discussion about the importance of mentorship in the field of speech-language pathology and the lack of formal requirements for mentoring in the profession.

[00:02:10] Introduction of the speakers and their experiences in the field of speech-language pathology, including their areas of expertise and involvement in mentoring.

[00:07:12] Discussion on the significance of mentorship, drawing parallels between the corporate world and the clinical side, and the value of observing and learning from others.

[00:10:13] The speakers discuss the significance of mentoring in their careers and the value of nurturing relationships with colleagues and students.

[00:10:58] The speakers emphasize that mentorship is a two-way street, where everyone has the opportunity to give back and support others in the field.

[00:12:45] The speakers highlight the informal nature of mentorship in the field and express their willingness to help others with clinical or career questions.

[00:18:59] The speakers discuss their different mentoring styles, including being responsive, asking for feedback, and adapting to the mentee's communication style.

 [00:20:57] The speakers emphasize the importance of effective communication in mentoring, such as talking it out, engaging in conversations, and using video calls to understand and support the mentee.

[00:23:18] The speakers highlight the value of giving space and time in mentoring, allowing the mentee to come to their own conclusions and providing support through discussion-provoking questions.

The post 287 – Med SLP Mentorship: The What, Who, How, and Why… appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

While most people associate PT with OT (sometimes as if they’re just one person, even!), there’s some serious magic that can come out of the SLP and PT partnership…

And that’s exactly what we dive into in this week’s episode of the Swallow Your Pride Podcast!

In this episode,  Megan Kane-Mangol MS, CCC-SLP, and Kris Zwemer MSPT discuss the benefits of working together as co-owners of a private practice. From individual practice to group theater and exercise programs, they emphasize the ability to provide comprehensive care in one setting and the flexibility of private practice. Megan and Kris share examples of programs they offer at their practice, including a theater group for patients with Parkinson's. They also stress the importance of community and shared interests for individuals with a diagnosis. The speakers advocate for the need for more multidisciplinary clinics and engaging with other clinicians to provide a more fulfilling life for patients.

Get the show notes: https://syppodcast.com/286

[00:02:39] -Megan Kane-Mangol MS, CCC-SLP, and Kris Zwemer MSPT discuss the benefits of working in a multidisciplinary team, including the ability to address multiple issues in the same setting.

 [00:08:13] - Megan talks about creating programming outside of the therapy room, specifically a collaboration with a local theater for patients with Parkinson's.

[00:09:23] - Discussion on how the pandemic affected their private practice and how grassroots marketing helped them grow.

[00:12:49] - The importance of involving caregivers and family members in therapy sessions and providing support and resources for them.

[00:13:50] - The power of asking simple questions like "how are you?" and the impact it can have on patients and their families.

[00:17:07 - 00:21:00] - Kris and Megan discuss the various exercise and wellness programs they offer, including a fitness class for people with motor impairments, osteoporosis wellness program, and a Speak Out program for Parkinson's patients.

[00:21:00 - 00:22:48] - Megan talks about the importance of building a sense of community among patients and caregivers, and how it helps with marketing. They also discuss plans to offer art therapy and cooking classes.

[00:25:15 - 00:25:55] - Theresa and Megan discuss the concept of modified cooking classes for people with dysphagia, and how to modify gourmet dishes to fit a dysphagia diet.

[00:25:56] - Theresa talks about the importance of finding a community of people who share similar experiences and interests, especially after receiving a diagnosis.

[00:27:07] - Megan discusses the difficulties in getting referrals from neurologists and how they have had to find other means to reach out to potential clients.

[00:30:32] - Kris emphasizes the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in treating patients with speech and swallowing issues and encourages clinicians to recognize their limitations and seek out other experts to help meet the needs of their patients.

 [00:33:27] - The speakers discuss the benefits of working in a multidisciplinary team, including the ability to catch things that other team members may not recognize.

[00:34:53] - The importance of referring out to other partners when a patient's needs fall outside of a clinician's scope is discussed.

The post 286 – When an SLP and PT Start a Business Together: Exploring the Benefits and Challenges of Multidisciplinary Practice appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

Calling all peds med SLPs! Are you and the pediatricians who serve your young clients BFFs?  No? Then this episode is for you!  In the latest episode of the Swallow Your Pride Podcast, Michelle Dawson, MS CCC-SLP, CLC and Tessa Gonzalez, MD discuss the importance of collaboration and communication among healthcare professionals when working with medically complex children and their families.

Tessa Gonzalez, a pediatrician and mother, believes that finding the right team of professionals to care for a child with complex medical needs is crucial. She emphasized the importance of trusting the professionals on the child's care team and finding the right people to make decisions. Michelle Dawson, MS, CCC-SLP, CLC, a speech-language pathologist in Staunton, VA, is the acclaimed host of “First Bite: Fed, Fun, Functional” a weekly Speech Therapy Podcast that addresses “all thangs” Pediatric Speech Therapy and is presented by SpeechTherapyPD.com. Michelle authored, "Chasing the Swallow: Truth, Science, and Hope for Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing Disorders". She is an accomplished lecturer; traveling across the nation delivering courses on best practices for evaluation and treatment of the medically complex infant, toddler, and child with respect to their pediatric oropharyngeal dysphagia, pediatric feeding disorder, as well as language acquisition within the framework of Early Intervention. She stressed the need for improvement in interprofessional education and practice and praised the Council of Academic Programs for Communicative Sciences and Disorders for their efforts in this area.

Collaboration in Medical Practice [00:11:23]

Importance of Referrals [00:15:48]

Finding the Right Team [00:18:06]

Requesting Referrals and Access to Healthcare [00:19:08]

Handling Professional Disagreements [00:23:07]

Early intervention [00:26:04]

State interpretation of IDEA Part C [00:30:32]

Empowering Caregivers [00:38:05]

Care Coordination [00:39:25]

Collaboration with Families [00:41:09]

Get the show notes: https://syppodcast.com/285

The post 285 – Medically Complex Children and SLPs: How Many Cooks Should be in the Kitchen? appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.