Dysphagia and Disorders of Eating and Drinking

All speech and language therapists are required to continually update their knowledge and practice. This course will help to deepen your understanding of the assessment and management of these disorders. Additionally, the teaching and learning methods adopted will equip you with the skills to continually review and evaluate new dysphagia evidence in the future.

The assessment encourages you to engage with online peer discussion, critiquing the evidence base and coursework encourages you to engage with a research question and proposal in your clinical area of interest.

Who is it for?

This course is designed for Speech and Language Therapists and other health professionals with clinical experience of working in the field of dysphagia and disorders of eating and drinking.

Timetable

Term 1

Oct: Wednesday 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30 October 2024
Nov: Wednesday 13, 20 and 27 November 2024
Dec: Wednesday 4 and 11 December 2024

Benefits

The key takeaway of this course is improvement in the assessment and management of eating and drinking disorders, and the development of the critical skills needed to assess the evidence that supports good practice.

This course is worth 15 credits and can be taken as part of a PGCert, PGDip or MSc course, including the MSc Speech, Language and Communications course.

Course Content Includes

• Principle of assessment
• Instrumental assessment
• Neuroplasticity and ethics.

By the end of the course you will be able to

• Analyse the current research findings with regard to the neurophysiological basis of swallowing and determine the impact these have on therapeutic management.
• Differentiate the presentation and management of swallowing disorders in different pathologies over the lifespan.
• Integrate different perspectives on the management of feeding and swallowing disorders, contrasting the medical and social models of disability.
• Evaluate new approaches to the management of dysphagia in neurological disorders.
• Critically evaluate and synthesise relevant research from a range of sources
• Engage confidently in academic and professional communication, including on line communication.
• Critically appraise models of service provision for people with dysphagia.

You will be expected to submit a portfolio of coursework tasks which will demonstrate:

• Analysis and synthesis of current research findings.
• Differentiation of the presentation and management of swallowing disorders.
• Ability to integrate different perspectives and to evaluate new approaches.
• Evidence of critical appraisal skills.

You will be taught in face-to-face weekly sessions by specialist dysphagia lecturers working across the lifespan.

This is a 15-credit course at postgraduate level, and can be taken as part of a PGCert, PGDip or Msc course.

This course is provided by the School of Health & Psychological Sciences.

• A first or upper second class honours degree (or equivalent) in an appropriate subject, or the Licentiate Diploma of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
• A current professional registration with a relevant professional/statutory body or equivalent
• At least two years' relevant clinical experience working as a Speech and Language Therapist, including some dysphagia experience or specialist experience of working with people with eating and drinking difficulties e.g. Home Enteral Dietician
• A satisfactory academic reference and/or a satisfactory clinical reference.

English requirements

If your first language is not English, one of the following is required:

• A first degree from a UK university
• A first degree from an overseas institution recognised by City, University of London as providing adequate evidence of proficiency in the English language, for example, from institutions from Australia, Canada or the United States of America.
• International English Language Test Service (IELTS) a score of 7.0 is required with no subtest below 7.0
• Pearson Test of English (Academic) score 72 required
• TOEFL 100 overall with 24 in Writing, 20 in Listening, 19 Reading and 20 Speaking
• Other evidence of proficiency in the English language, which satisfies the board of studies concerned, including registration with your professional regulator.

• Arvedson, J., Clark, H., Lazarus, C., Schooling, T., & Frymark, T. (2010). The effects of oral‐motor exercises on swallowing in children: an evidence‐based systematic review. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, 52(11), 1000-1013.
• Bath, P. M., Lee, H. S., & Everton, L. F. (2018). Swallowing therapy for dysphagia in acute and subacute stroke. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (10).
• Groher, M. E., & Crary, M. A. (2015). Dysphagia: clinical management in adults and children. Elsevier Health Sciences.