Speech Scope Episode 19: Dysphagia Decisions: What’s In and What’s Out?

Dr. Phyllis M. Palmer, a leading voice in dysphagia research, and Aaron H. Padilla, a practicing clinical SLP, join host Sarah Baar to explore how dysphagia management is evolving and why that matters for your daily practice. Together, they dig into clinical gray areas, from navigating thickened liquids to balancing patient safety with quality of life. The discussion also highlights how the BOLUS framework offers a practical, evidence-informed tool to support individualized decision-making at the bedside. If you’ve ever questioned your go-to strategies, this conversation is for you.Learning ObjectivesAnalyze the evidence on individual differences in dysphagia management using the BOLUS frameworkApply evidence-based, practical strategies to address modifiable factors in dysphagia management, such as oral care and smoking statusSolve case scenarios involving patients who aspirate, with emphasis on factors that increase the risk of poor outcomesTimestamps(00:00:00) Welcome(00:00:05) Introduction to dysphagia management(00:03:40) Evolution of dysphagia practices(00:05:29) The importance of individualized care(00:12:15) Navigating changes in clinical practices(00:15:15) Introducing the BOLUS framework(00:20:30) Understanding bolus variables(00:29:20) Oral health—the foundation of dysphagia management(00:35:40) Lifestyle and activity levels in dysphagia management(00:39:50) Unintended influences in clinical practice(00:44:40) Understanding system status in dysphagia management(00:48:30) Actionable takeaways for cliniciansSpeech Scope is brought to you by Medbridge. If you’d like to earn continuing education credit for listening to this episode and access bonus takeaway handouts, log in to your Medbridge account and navigate to the course where you’ll find accreditation details. If applicable, complete the post-course assessment and survey to be eligible for credit. The takeaway handout on Medbridge gives you the key points mentioned in this episode, along with additional resources you can implement into your practice right away.To hear more episodes of Speech Scope, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.medbridge.com/speech-scope⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠If you’d like to subscribe to Medbridge, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.medbridge.com/pricing/