Online Continuing Education Courses

Adult Swallowing Disorders

• Become familiar with the prevalence and incidence of dysphagia as well as what diagnoses precipitate it.
• Identify anatomy and physiology involved in swallowing along with peripheral and neurologic controls.
• Become familiar with swallowing issues for the elderly.
• Recognize signs vs. symptoms of dysphagia and distinguish oropharyngeal impairment with esophageal impairment.
• Describe the nervous system in order to be familiar with swallowing disorders that result from neurologic disease.
• Identify characteristics of dysphagia and dysphagia-related problems seen in patients with neurologic disease.
• List treatment options and practices in different forms of neurogenic dysphagia.
• Recognize dysphagia and how it relates to various head and neck cancers.
• List factors that contribute to dysphagia in patients being treated for head and neck cancers.
• Become familiar with esophagopharyngeal disorders along with examination and treatment options.
• Describe the importance of along with the components of the physical evaluation of the swallowing mechanism.
• Describe the basic components of a fluoroscopic and endoscopic swallowing exam.
• List 5 strengths and 5 weaknesses of each exam.
• Identify treatment considerations that apply to most patients with dysphagia.
• Describe the major categories for the treatment of dysphagia.
• Identify steps for formulating effective treatment plans.
• Become familiar and describe 3 behavioral treatment strategies.
• Define and outline 5 basic principles of medical ethics and how ethics relate to swallowing disorders.