Dysphagia, 4.5 credits

For admission to semester 6, it is required that students may lack no more than 15 credits from preceding semesters within the Study Programme in Speech and Language Pathology. In addition, a Pass grade on the following courses on semester 2 is required: Early Communication and Feeding Disorders as well as Medicine 2: Pathology, Speech and Voice Physiology and Audiology.

On completion of the course, the student should be able to:

• Account for the normal physiology of swallowing across the lifespan
• Identify signs and symptoms of dysphagia and relate them to different diseases
• Differentiate between different forms of dysphagia
• Analyse the aim and structure of different assessment instruments and analytical methods for dysphagia according to The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF).
• Suggest and motivate intervention for dysphagia based on evidence and ethical considerations

The course includes basic facts about the occurrence, aetiology and pathogenesis of dysphagia. The normal swallowing process and its development across the lifespan is discussed, as well as how saliva production and other odontological factors influence eating and deglutition function. Further, the symptomatology of different forms of dysphagia is described, e.g. oropharyngeal and esophageal dysphagia, as well as differential diagnoses in the area. Methods for assessment and intervention related to function, participation and activity as well as personal and environmental factors are presented. Ethical issues relevant to this area are also discussed, e.g. intervention in the end of life stage and intervention for patients that cannot give consent as well as equal treatment aspects.

Students' descriptions of early feeding situations from child observations (part of Professional Skills) are discussed in relation to theoretical knowledge of early eating development.

Lectures, seminars, laboratory sessions, individual and group practical exercises. Learning activites with compulsory attendance are specified in the course timetable. In case of absence from a compulsory activity, the student is responsible for contacting the course coordinator for a complementary assignment. The course coordinator decides if and how absence from compulsory learning activities can be compensated.

Until the student has participated in the compulsory parts (or compensated any absence with assigned tasks in accordance with instructions from the course coordinator) the final study results cannot be reported. Absence from a compulsory activity may result in this element cannot be completed until the course is given the next time.

Written take-home examination.
In case of failed result, students may submit supplementary answers to the examination. Should the failed result remain after supplementary answers, students are allowed to take five further examinations. The second examination is the following regular examination in the course.

Examination can be carried out according to an earlier literature list during a period of one year after the date of a renewal of the literature list.
Examination will be provided during a period of one year after a possible closing of the course.

Teaching in English can occur.
Course evaluation will be carried out according to the guidelines established by the Board of Higher Education.