Intervention

= Introduction﻿  =

It is well established that Speech and Language Therapists, ( SLT's), are leading experts in communication and swallowing disorders, including the assessment, differential diagnosis, intervention and management of people with these disorders (RCSLT,2006 ; SPA, 2004). However the inappropriate management of a person with a swallowing disorder can put the patient at grave risk of aspiration, choking, respiratory infections, weight loss, poor nutrition and even death. In order to formulate the best possible intervention strategies / therapy plans for any swallowing difficulties that a patient may encounter post surgery/during radiotherapy ,a comprehensive and individualised assessment ,(refer to assessment section), must first be carried out to determine the presence and severity of the swallowing difficulties. The SLT needs to use the results from these assessments to correctly identify the side affects of the surgery and radiation that will impact on the patients swallowing mechanism. These side effects will form the baseline of the intervention plan that should always be tailored to meet the clients needs.

The Practice Guidelines from the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists, (RCSLT Guidelines, 2006) outlines the essential fact that all aspects of the patients care are to be agreed on within the multidisciplinary team, family/ carers/ significant others, (refer to team approach section), in order to :


 * Identify and agree which interventions recieve priority at any stage in time.
 * Identify any factors that may impact negatively upon the individuals health status and well being.The side affects will also help the therapist and patient to work together to form realistic goals to work towards during the therapy process (RCSLT, 2005).

Included within this section is information on:


 * Planning Treatment


 * Possible Complications and Side Effects of Treatments


 * Setting Goals: Ethical and Best Practice Principals


 * Rehabilitative Exercises


 * Compensatory Techniques


 * Mealtime Guidelines for Modifying Diet