[Dysphagia] Response to Jonathan Bennett

[jfurstoss at acmedctr.org (Furstoss, Jeanne ACMC)]

 Jonathan Bennett wrote >what is the... "role" in dysphagia therapy..?  If
we went by our basic  teaching in school, we are to, basically, thicken
liquids, change diet  consistencies, suggest NPO status, and engage in
therapy such as oral  thermal stim, muscles strengthening, etc (which I am
also quite  hesitant on using, considering the lack of evidence to back it
up)."

***Johnathan's questions and descriptions seem to me to accurately present
what I also find as common practice by swallowing therapists; but further,
his words to me are a courageous commentary like a vignette from the story
"emperor's new clothes, when all the kingdom sees an error of the emperor's
nakedness, but is afraid to say anything for fear of confronting a status
quo."  If his observations are too common, then real questions should be
what is being done to implement more quality in education in dysphagia and
more regulation in the practice of dysphagia.  And why aren't clinicans
demanding this, and how long will it take before 3rd party payers see
through the veneer of health care dollars spent on such unproven practices?


Jeanne Furstoss MS OTR/L SWC



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