Telehealth for Dysphagia: Is It Safe and Evidence Based?

Published: May 30, 2022, 12:52 p.m.

Get .1 ASHA CEU here

Episode Summary

Can you really do swallowing assessments via telehealth?  You sure can! And this week’s guest panel has a wealth of info to tell you just how and why.  SLP Nerdcast’s own dysphagia correspondent Tracey Callahan joins fellow dysphagia SLP and researcher,  Dr. Georgia Malandraki, to address your fears and give you the tools to explore whether tele-services for swallowing are a right fit for you and your patients.  

Tune in to learn about regulations and safety considerations and get a great foundation to develop an assessment and treatment, and virtually plan a session with best practice in mind. The application of everyday technology and cutting edge wearable technology is a real treat in this info-packed discussion which highlights the roles and benefits of tech tools in data collection, feedback, buy-in, and progress for swallowing patients.  This expert crew discusses honest limitations of the tele-service platform as well, offering a well-rounded picture of the similarities and differences, pros and cons of onsite versus online swallowing assessment and intervention.  It is amazing to consider that some aspects of swallowing services are actually enhanced over telehealth with a patient in their own home- who knew? This is a meaty but incredibly innovative episode that you’re sure to enjoy!

Course Accommodations

The transcript for this course is provided below. You can also email us at ceu@slpnerdcast.com

Learning Outcomes and Course Description

This course reviewed regulatory and clinical guidelines for the safe use of telehealth for dysphagia.  This course also reviewed the research available for telehealth for dysphagia as well as current technology available.

Describe basic regulatory guidelines for the safe use of telemanagement of dysphagia.

Identify basic practical/clinical guidelines for the safe use of telemanagement of dysphagia.

Summarize the research evidence available for the use of telehealth for dysphagia management.

Describe new developments in wearable technologies for the tele-management of dysphagia.

Speaker Disclosures

Georgia Malandraki financial disclosures: Dr. Malandraki is an employee of Purdue University and receives a salary and grants to support her work.  Dr. Malandraki also receives grants from the National Institute of Health related to work in Telehealth.  Dr. Malandraki is the co-founder of a Purdue initiated startup.

Georgia Malandraki non-financial disclosures: Dr. Malandraki is a member of and the president Elect of the Dysphagia Research Society.  She is also the Indiana Speech and Hearing Association co-chair of the telehealth task force

Kate Grandbois financial disclosures: Kate is the owner / founder of Grandbois Therapy + Consulting, LLC and co-founder of SLP Nerdcast.

Kate Grandbois non-financial disclosures: Kate is a member of ASHA, SIG 12, and serves on the AAC Advisory Group for Massachusetts Advocates for Children. She is also a member of the Berkshire Association for Behavior Analysis and Therapy (BABAT), MassABA, the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) and the corresponding Speech Pathology and Applied Behavior Analysis SIG. 

Amy Wonkka financial disclosures: Amy is an employee of a public school system and co-founder for SLP Nerdcast.

Amy Wonkka non-financial disclosures: Amy is a member of ASHA, SIG 12, and serves on the AAC Advisory Group for Massachusetts Advocates for Children.

Tracey Callahan financial disclosures: Tracey is an employee of SLP Nerdcast, owns a private practice, and is the owner of an online learning platform called Guest Monster Games. 

Tracey Callahan non-financial disclosures: Tracey a member of ASHA and the corresponding special interest group (SIG 13) for Dysphagia. Tracey is a Certified Lactation Counselor through the Academy of Lactation Policy and Practice

Time Ordered Agenda

15 minutes: Introduction, Disclaimers and Disclosures

15 minutes:  Review of the regulatory and clinical guidelines for the safe use of telehealth for dysphagia

15 minutes:  Review of the available evidence for the use of telehealth for dysphagia management

10 minutes:  Review of wearable technologies for

5 minutes: Summary and Closing

References and Resources

Brates, D., Molfenter, S. M., & Thibeault, S. L. (2018). Assessing Hyolaryngeal Excursion: Comparing Quantitative Methods to Palpation at the Bedside and Visualization During Videofluoroscopy. Dysphagia, 34(3), 298-307. doi:10.1007/s00455-018-9927-2

IOPE

Purdue "I eat lab"

Direct I Eat Telehealth Resources

ASHA State Telehealth Policies

Australian Resources for Evidence on Telehealth

Disclaimer

The contents of this episode are not meant to replace clinical advice. SLP Nerdcast, its hosts and guests do not represent or endorse specific products or procedures mentioned during our episodes unless otherwise stated. We are NOT PhDs, but we do research our material. We do our best to provide a thorough review and fair representation of each topic that we tackle. That being said, it is always likely that there is an article we’ve missed, or another perspective that isn’t shared. If you have something to add to the conversation, please email us! Wed love to hear from you!

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