Clinicians rely on objective science, personal experience, and common sense when interpreting a swallowing assessment. The clinician must combine the findings of the clinical exam with health history, estimate the severity of the disorder, project risk for poor outcome, and develop an appropriate treatment plan for the dysphagic patient. To ensure effective and appropriate treatment, an assessment must be carefully prepared and adapted to each patient's individual needs. This program explains and illustrates the interaction between the patient and clinician, from the initial consultation, through the patient interview, to the clinical examination and eventual instrumental exam. Numerous video clips illustrate key concepts.

Learning Outcomes
You will be able to:

• identify appropriate consultation
• predict barriers to communication during the interview process
• apply principles of interview techniques to enhance communication
• choose appropriate assessment measures during the clinical bedside examination
• interpret the signs and symptoms of dysphagia presented by the patient during the clinical examination
• select a suitable instrumental assessment given signs and symptoms of dysphagia during the clinical examination

 View the Table of Contents [PDF]

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