266 – The Dysphagia Pathways Program: Palliative Dysphagia Management – Mechelle Motsinger, MA, CCC-SLP

How many times have you had a dysphagia patient that is at the end of their life and someone suggests a PEG? Maybe they still want to eat, because food makes their life enjoyable, but they don't want to be a DNR? What's the SLP's role in the decision-making process in palliative dysphagia management? And where do we even begin to tackle these issues? My guest this week is answering ALL of these questions and dropping some major inspiration while she's at it!

In this episode of SYP, I have a conversation with Mechelle Motsinger, MA, CCC-SLP about her experience in creating The Dysphagia Pathways Program, a decision-making guide for palliative management of dysphagia. She discusses her experience from her literature review to submission for publication and everything in between. Mechelle shares so many real-life situations in this conversation that SLPs will resonate with and find comfort in knowing they're not in this fight alone. Our field will be grateful for the guidance of The Dysphagia Pathways Programs for years and years to come.

In this episode, you'll hear about:

-What is The Dysphagia Pathways Program?

-What is the SLP's role in palliative care?

-Does a patient have to be a DNR if they don't want to follow the recommended diet?

-How can SLPs have difficult conversations, hold space for their patients, and help their physician colleagues in the same breath?

Get the show notes at https://syppodcast.com/266