Swallowing disorders affect over 15 million people across the United States. Dysphagia is a complex disorder and occurs co-morbidly with other diagnoses. As such, there is frequent collaboration amongst healthcare professionals, including speechlanguage pathologists, to appropriately assess and manage the dysphagia. The objective of this research was to explore the collaboration between speech-language pathologists and physicians who work with patients diagnosed with dysphagia. The researchers surveyed Otolaryngologists and gastroenterologists about their collaborative relationships and interprofessional practice in general as it relates to the assessment and management of dysphagia. Data were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively using codes, categories and then overarching themes.The presenter will discuss the study results and professional implications for interprofessional practice.
Dr. Mitzi Brammer is an associate professor and graduate program director in the Speech, Language & Hearing Sciences program at Saint Louis University. Her research interests include student and faculty resilience, interprofessional practice/education, inclusive practices, and language and literacy, particularly with adolescents. Dr. Brammer received her B.S.E. and her M.Sp. from Arkansas State University. She has a Ph.D. in Curriculum Design and Instruction from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Future research endeavors include the development of a Yes/No protocol for preschool children who are on the autism spectrum as well as investigating how overall functioning changes through the lifespan in middle aged and geriatric autistic individuals.
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