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Hone your problem-solving skills as you learn to manage dysphagia in a variety of client populations, because dysphagia therapy isn’t one-size-fits-all.
Dysphagia is a symptom, not a disease unto itself. Difficulty swallowing can be a symptom of a wide variety of medical diagnoses, and the underlying diagnosis is a critical factor to consider when developing a treatment approach. Dysphagia clinicians must guard against a one-size-fits-all approach and instead develop an understanding of the causative factors and pathophysiology of swallowing disorders in each disease process. This series of courses will discuss dysphagia related to a variety of medical diagnoses, including cervical spine disorders, COPD, dementia, stroke, head and neck cancer, neuromuscular disorders, Parkinson’s disease, and end of life. The characteristics of dysphagia in each diagnosis will be reviewed. Specific considerations for assessment of patients according to their diagnosis will be reviewed, and the evidence base for treatment strategies will be provided. Participants will be provided with an opportunity for problem-solving through case review.
Speech-Language Pathologists
4 hours of online video lectures and patient demonstrations.
Case-based quizzes to evaluate and improve clinical reasoning.
Recorded Q&A sessions between instructors and practice managers.
The Essentials: Dysphagia and Neuromuscular Diseasekeyboard_arrow_down
CourseThis chapter will provide an overview of neuromuscular diseases for the dysphagia clinician. Multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, Huntington's disease, and multisystem atrophy will be discussed to provide the clinician with an understanding of the relationships between swallowing and neuromuscular diseases.
This chapter will describe dysphagia as it manifests in each of the neuromuscular disease processes. Signs and symptoms of dysphagia will be reviewed, and factors specific to assessment of these patients will be discussed, including respiratory muscle function, fatigue and endurance issues, and potential for cough. The role of periodic instrumental assessment will also be reviewed.
This chapter will provide a discussion of the evidence base for management strategies for patients with neuromuscular disease. Intervention techniques that have been specifically targeted for these patients will be highlighted, including compensatory strategies, positioning and seating, and fatigue management. The current evidence base for exercise in neuromuscular disease will also be reviewed.
The Essentials: Dysphagia and Parkinson's Diseasekeyboard_arrow_down
CourseThis chapter will provide an overview of Parkinson’s disease for the dysphagia clinician. The pathophysiology of Parkinson’s disease, the role of rigidity and other neurological changes, and the involvement of the GI system will be discussed in order to provide the clinician with an understanding of the relationship between swallowing and PD.
This chapter will describe dysphagia as it manifests in Parkinson’s disease. Signs and symptoms of dysphagia will be reviewed, and factors specific to assessment will be discussed, including breathing/swallow coordination, potential for cough, and aspiration risk factor identification. The role of dopamine in regulation of feeding and swallowing will also be reviewed.
This chapter will provide a discussion of the evidence base for treatment strategies for dysphagia in Parkinson’s disease. Intervention techniques that have been specifically targeted for patients with Parkinson’s disease will be highlighted, including respiratory training, sensory enhancements, compensatory strategies, and exercise.
The Essentials: Dysphagia and CVAkeyboard_arrow_down
CourseThis chapter will provide an overview of stroke for the dysphagia clinician. Stroke type and location, as well as stroke sequalae, will be discussed to provide the clinician with an understanding of the relationship between swallowing and stroke.
This chapter will describe dysphagia as it manifests in patients who have sustained a stroke.
This chapter will provide a discussion of the evidence base for treatment strategies for dysphagia in patients with stroke. Intervention techniques that have been specifically targeted for patients with stroke will be highlighted, including sensory enhancements and interventions, dietary modifications, and compensations. The role of exercise in improving oral, pharyngeal, and respiratory muscle functions will be discussed as well.
The Essentials: Dysphagia and Head and Neck Cancerkeyboard_arrow_down
CourseThis chapter will provide an overview of head and neck cancers for the dysphagia clinician. The impacts of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and chemoradiation will be discussed to provide the clinician with an understanding of the relationship between swallowing and the head and neck cancer and its treatments.
This chapter will describe dysphagia as it manifests in patients with head and neck cancer. Signs and symptoms of dysphagia in cancer patients will be reviewed, and factors specific to assessment of these patients will be discussed, including painful swallow, mucositis, disuse atrophy, and nutritional concerns.
This chapter will provide a discussion of the evidence base for management strategies for patients with head and neck cancer. Intervention techniques that have been specifically targeted for these patients will be highlighted, including oral care and comfort, compensatory strategies, and breathing/swallow retraining. The importance of exercise during and after chemoradiation treatments will also be reviewed.
The Essentials: Dysphagia and Cervical Spine Issueskeyboard_arrow_down
CourseThis chapter will provide an overview of cervical spine disorders for the dysphagia clinician. Cervical spine surgeries, osteophytes, and cervical bracing will be discussed to provide the clinician with an understanding of the relationship between swallowing and the spine.
This chapter will describe dysphagia as it manifests in patients with cervical spine disorders. Signs and symptoms of dysphagia will be reviewed, and factors specific to assessment of these patients will be discussed, including the impact of edema, nerve damage, compression, and restrictions in movement and swallow function.
This chapter will provide a discussion of the evidence base for management strategies for patients with cervical spine issues. Intervention techniques that have been specifically targeted for these patients will be highlighted, including the impact of pain and inflammation management. Contraindications, including maneuvers that require neck flexion, will also be discussed.
The Essentials: Dysphagia and Dementiakeyboard_arrow_down
CourseThis chapter will provide an overview of dementia for the dysphagia clinician. Dementia types and stages will be discussed to provide the clinician with an understanding of the relationship between swallowing and dementia.
This chapter will describe dysphagia as it manifests in patients with dementia of various types. Signs and symptoms of dysphagia will be reviewed and factors specific to assessment of patients with dementia will be discussed, including the impact of neurological changes, cognitive decline, and care-resistant behaviors on swallow function.
This chapter will provide a discussion of the evidence base for treatment strategies for dysphagia in patients with dementia. Intervention techniques that have been specifically targeted for patients with dementia will be highlighted, including dietary strategies and techniques to reduce care-resistant behaviors.
The Essentials: Dysphagia and End-of-Life Patientskeyboard_arrow_down
CourseThis chapter will provide an overview of end-of-life care for the dysphagia clinician. Palliative and hospice care models, cancer cachexia, and dehydration in dying patients will be discussed to provide the clinician with an understanding of swallowing at end of life.
This chapter will describe dysphagia as it manifests in patients at end of life. Signs and symptoms of dysphagia will be reviewed, and factors specific to assessment of these patients will be discussed, including caregiver burden and the role of non-oral feeding in actively dying patients.
This chapter will provide a discussion of the evidence base for management strategies for patients at end of life. Management techniques that have been specifically targeted for these patients will be highlighted, including strategies for oral care and comfort, techniques to support nutrition, and alternatives to tube feeding for dying patients.
The Essentials: Dysphagia and COPDkeyboard_arrow_down
CourseThis chapter will provide an overview of COPD for the dysphagia clinician. Respiratory functions, breathing/swallow coordination, aspiration risk, and the associations between COPD and GERD will be discussed to provide the clinician with an understanding of the relationship between swallowing and the respiratory disorders.
This chapter will describe dysphagia as it manifests in COPD. Signs and symptoms of dysphagia will be reviewed, and factors specific to assessment will be discussed, including the potential impacts of respiratory rate, respiratory muscle function, breathing/swallow coordination, and dyspnea on swallow function.
This chapter will provide a discussion of the evidence base for treatment strategies for dysphagia in COPD. Intervention techniques that have been specifically targeted for patients with COPD will be highlighted, including management of respiratory demand and endurance issues, management of dyspnea, and diet strategies. The role of exercise in patients with COPD and dysphagia will also be discussed.
Supplementary Materials
FileCompetency Checklist
FileCEU Approved
4 total hours* of accredited coursework.Get this Certificate Program and so much more! All included in the MedBridge subscription.
Our clinic could not be happier with MedBridge.
Amy Lee, MPT, OCS
Physical Therapy Central
MedBridge has allowed us to create a culture of learning that we were previously unable to attain with traditional coursework.
Zach Steele, PT, DPT, OCS
Outpatient Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Services
MedBridge has created a cost-effective and quality platform that is the future of online education.
Grant R. Koster, PT, ATC, FACHE
Vice President of Clinical Operations, Athletico Physical Therapy
Do I get CEU credit?
Each course is individually accredited. Please check each course for your state and discipline. You can receive CEU credit after each course is completed.
When do I get my certificate?
You will receive accredited certificates of completion for each course as you complete them. Once you have completed the entire Certificate Program you will receive your certificate for the program.
*Accreditation Hours
Each course is individually accredited and exact hours will vary by state and discipline. Check each course for specific accreditation for your license.
Do I have to complete the courses in order?
It is not required that you complete the courses in order. Each Certificate Program's content is built to be completed sequentially but it is not forced to be completed this way.
How long do I have access to the Certificate Program?
You will have access to this Certificate Program for as long as you are a subscriber. Your initial subscription will last for one year from the date you purchase.
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