Manchester Post Basic Dysphagia Course

Introduction

The course consists of:

1. a five day intensive Theoretical Week
2. a six month Supervisory Period
3. a Consolidation Day

This structure enables students to demonstrate that they can apply the knowledge they acquire during the course ensuring that they are competent to practise.

Course Aims

1. To enable the clinician to assess, diagnose and manage dysphagic individuals independently.
2. To give an understanding of the normal swallow and its development.
3. To present an overview of the assessment of dysphagia in different client groups.
4. To give an introduction to videofluoroscopy.
5. To give an overview of the remediation of dysphagia.
6. To consider a range of formal and informal treatment strategies for dysphagic individuals.
7. To discuss a range of management issues.
8. To consider the role of other professionals in the management of dysphagia.
9. To consider psychosocial aspects of management.
10. To discuss ethical and legal issues relating to dysphagia policies and practice.
11. To brief participants on the practical component, assessments and Consolidation Day.

Pre-course Qualifications

1. The applicant must be a qualified Speech and Language Therapist, Nurse or other Healthcare Professional.
2. The applicant must be working with appropriate client groups at least 2 sessions per week, e.g. adults, paediatric or ALD.
3. The applicant must identify a suitably qualified Supervisor for the Supervisory Period of the course.

Assessment

Following attendance at the Theoretical Week, students are required to:

1. Submit a Case Study of between 3,000 to 5,000 words pertaining to their case load, completed prior to the Consolidation Day.
2. Submit a Log of Hours prior to the Consolidation Day.
3. Submit a Supervisor’s Report prior to the Consolidation Day.
4. Undertake written examinations as part of the Consolidation Day.

Award

Students meeting ALL the following criteria will be awarded a Certificate of Completion of the Manchester Post Basic Dysphagia Course:

1. Attendance at the Theoretical Week
2. Submission of a Case Study of an acceptable standard
3. Submission of an adequate Log of Hours
4. Supervisor’s endorsement
5. Passing the written examinations

Theoretical Week

The Theoretical Week comprises five full consecutive days of interactive lectures, video presentations, practical workshops and facilitated discussion groups conducted by experienced dysphagia therapists and expert external speakers.

Click here for a timetable of a typical Theoretical Week.

Supervisory Period

The Theoretical Week aims to deliver the theoretical component underpinning the Specialist Dysphagia Practitioner level identified by the Inter-professional Dysphagia Framework. Students require continued exposure and experience to clinical scenarios in the six month Supervisory Period in order to develop clinical competencies in specific client groups to enable them to function at this level.

Students must identify an experienced dysphagia practitioner as their Supervisor prior to applying for the course. The Supervisor should:

1. Have dysphagia as a recognised part of their caseload.
2. Have attended courses on dysphagia or acquired specialist expertise over time.
3. Normally maintain regular contact with a dysphagia caseload.
4. Be a registered member of a professional body or have appropriate insurance.

During the Supervisory Period, students must compile a Log of Hours and a Case Study and the Supervisor must compile a Supervisor’s Report.

Supervisor’s Report

The Supervisor is required to report on the student’s level of competence in the assessment and management of individuals with dysphagia and their level of clinical autonomy. The Supervisor’s Report must be submitted prior to the Consolidation Day.

The Supervisor may recommend that the Supervisory Period be extended in order for the student to reach clinical autonomy. Students should complete the other requirements of the course on time and agree a timescale for completion of the Supervisory Period with the Course Tutors.

Log of Hours

During the Six Month Supervisory Period, students must maintain a log of 72 hours reflecting their experience and learning outcomes. This should consist of:

1. 40 hours patient-centred face-to-face clinical work with access to the Supervisor and
2. 32 hours of dysphagia-related, but not patient-specific, reflective activity (e.g. literature, courses, meetings).

The Log of Hours must be submitted prior to the Consolidation Day.

If the Log of Hours is not adequate and is unlikely to be completed by the Consolidation Day, the Supervisor must contact the Course Tutors, in writing, at least a month prior to the Consolidation Day. The letter must explain:

1. the exceptional reasons why the hours have not been completed;
2. the date by which the hours will be completed;
3. what new measures will be implemented to ensure supervisory hours will be completed.

Case Study

Students are required to submit a Case Study pertaining to the client group of their choice (Adult, Paediatric or ALD). It should outline their holistic assessment and management of the dysphagic individual, reflecting the practical application of their theoretical knowledge. The Case Study should be between 3,000 and 5,000 words and must be submitted prior to the Consolidation Day.

Tutors will inform students whose Case Study is not of an adequate standard and agree a date by which the Case Study must be resubmitted.

Consolidation Day

The Consolidation Day is held six months after the Theoretical Week and consists of:

1. A two hour written examination paper
2. A one hour video observation examination paper
3. A Radiation Awareness Course
4. An External Examiner feedback session

Examination deferments will not normally be allowed. Students should not arrange holidays to coincide with the Consolidation Day.

In extenuating circumstances (e.g. illness or student resides outside the UK) students may be allowed to take the examination at their place of work under the supervision of their Supervisor or manager subject to the discretion of the Course Tutors.

Students who do not attend the Consolidation Day will not receive the Radiation Awareness Course (IR(ME)R 2000) Certificate (see below).

Two Hour Written Examination Paper

Students are required to sit a two hour written examination paper on the client group of their choice (Adult, Paediatric or ALD).

Click here to see example examination questions.

One Hour Video Observation Examination Paper

Students are required to sit a one hour written examination based on a video observation of a dysphagic individual eating and drinking. It is not a videofluoroscopy. Students will sit the examination on the client group of their choice (Adult, Paediatric or ALD) ).

Radiation Awareness Course

During the Consolidation Day a Radiation Awareness Course (IR(ME)R 2000) will be delivered by an experienced radiographer. This gives the student theoretical knowledge to allow them to refer directly for a videofluoroscopic examination (VFSS), subject to local policy.

External Examiner

A recognised dysphagia expert will be appointed External Examiner in order to regulate the course and verify and maintain marking standards. The External Examiner will review a cross-section of submitted Case Studies, review a cross-section of exam papers and prepare a written report on the course for RCSLT. At the Consolidation Day, the External Examiner will undertake a brief confidential group session with students in order to inform their report to RCSLT.

Cancellation

As the number of students attending each course is restricted to optimise the quality of the course, the loss of a student’s fee can jeopardise the financial viability of the course. Should a student cancel prior to the commencement of the course, their fee will only be refunded if the organisers are able to arrange a replacement student who is able to pay the course fees prior to the commencement of the course.

A cancellation fee of £50 + VAT will be deducted from any refund to cover the cost of administering the applicant's application and cancellation.

Students should not assume that the existence of a waiting list means they will receive a refund of their fees if they cancel as it may not be possible for those on the waiting list to arrange finance at short notice. Obviously the sooner a student informs the organisers that they wish to cancel, the more likely that the organisers will be able to fill their place and hence issue a refund.

Students who commence, but do not complete, the course will not receive a refund. An Attendance Certificate will be issued if the student attended all five days of the Theoretical Week.

If the organisers cancel the course, for whatever reason, students will be entitled to a full refund of the course fees only. The organisers are not liable for any additional expenses that the students incur (such as travel, accommodation, etc).

Click here to apply for a place on the Manchester Post Basic Dysphagia Course.

Terms & Conditions