#KEEP IT SIMPLE SILLY HOW TO#

Not only do we need better training and education on the things we are already doing, but we need our colleagues to be on the same page. The conclusion? Neither was very promising.

#KEEP IT SIMPLE SILLY HOW TO#

For example, a 2018 study by Vose and colleagues looked at how well we were able to spot disorders on MBSS and how much we agreed with our colleagues on how to manage those disorders. One of the major problems in speech pathology (and healthcare more broadly) is the inconsistency of practice patterns. Following up with education and resources to support those recommendations is a sure way to make sure the patient, staff, and family successfully follow them. Having a comprehensive view of the medical status, risks, and preferences will help you make the best recommendations that fit the individual needs of that specific patient.

What is actually going to make a difference in this patient’s life? Not just for today or tomorrow, but after they leave your facility and you never see them again. Needs to be fed? Does the person feeding know all the information they need to in order to feed this patient safely? Inefficient swallow? What’s the risk for weight loss?Ī chin tuck works? Will they remember to do it?īenefits from thickened liquids? How likely are they to actually drink them? What’s most important is to understand what the diagnosis means for the patient and to use that information to make practical recommendations based on the patient’s unique situation.Īspirating? Well then what’s the risk for aspiration pneumonia? Once you get to the point that you can accurately and consistently identify disorders and make diagnoses, you’re still not done yet. Where do we start? Take (and re-take) courses, train ourselves and each other, and make sure we are familiar with the types of patients we normally see so we can learn how to best treat them. Being able to recognize varying levels of normal and disordered swallows and to identify how these may impact function and health requires a lifetime of study, training, and practice. Some consider swallowing as the most complex reflexive mechanism controlled by the central nervous system. But of course these basics are not so basic. Knowing the varying levels of normal anatomy and physiology, understanding neuroanatomy, and being able to recognize abnormalities is the foundation of an effective SLP. But knowing and understanding what doesn’t change is often just as, if not more, important. So in light of this, what can the medical speech pathologist do to improve care and outcomes in the simplest AND most effective way?

Like hand washing, keeping a procedural checklist, and basic primary and preventative care. But what actually makes the most difference? The simplest things, actually. About 1500 new medications have been introduced by the FDA, advanced and complex surgeries costing hundreds of thousands of dollars are now commonplace, and new technologies are being introduced every year to help track, manage, and improve care. In just the past 100 years our life expectancy has risen more than 20 years and continues to rise.

While keeping up with our studies and training is crucial to staying up to date and remaining effective for our patients, let’s not lose site over what has worked consistently and has stood the test of time.Īdvances in healthcare have been a beautiful thing. With a flurry of incoming research, advanced technologies, and innovative techniques, the med SLP may find him or herself wondering what has the greatest impact on our patients. Sometimes the simplest things can make the most difference for our patients.

Keep it simple silly