Swallow the Gap

Diagnose, stabilize, and move on to the next chart. That's a common model in acute care, but it's the one this team walked away from. One patient sat trached, decannulated, retrached, and off food, stuck until his care team decided the plan wasn't working and changed it. Three days later he was doing seventy-five to a hundred swallows a session. Four weeks after that, he was eating regular food, off the trach, and walking home. Tha...

What does it look like to bring value as a speech-language pathologist when productivity demands are real and time is limited?

In this episode, I talk with Jaimie Anderson, SLP and clinical researcher at one of the nation’s first multidisciplinary swallowing centers. We get into what this looks like in practice. Not in ideal settings, but in the day-to-day. Hallway conversations. Documentation that answers questions before the...

Why do so many clinicians feel underprepared when they first begin treating dysphagia?

In a discussion that applies to SLPs in various settings, Dr. Jordan Hazelwood and I dive into challenges students face when transitioning from theory to clinical decision making, the importance of mentorship and critical thinking, and how simulation and structured training may help bridge the education-to-practice gap.

Gap Education:
https://sw...

This discussion explores what cognitive communication therapy can look like when it moves beyond worksheets and test scores. Guest Lauren Schwabish, an SLP with more than two decades of experience, explains how shifting into community-based practice allowed her to engage patients in more meaningful, real-life problem solving. She describes using self-anchored rating scales, functional observation, and collaborative strategies rathe...

Three head and neck cancer specialists from coast-to-coast share insights that may challenge some traditional dysphagia management approaches. Dr. Carly Barbon (MD Anderson), Dr. Mario Landera (University of Miami), and Dr. Heather Starmer (Stanford) discuss why functional goals are important with this population, the critical importance of shared decision-making, and how quality of life factors like depression and mental health sh...

The BOLUS framework helps clinicians move beyond the idea that aspiration always translates to pneumonia by encouraging a critical, multi-factor approach to dysphagia care. Designed for use before, during, and after patient encounters, the framework supports more comprehensive assessment, treatment planning, and interdisciplinary communication.

In this episode, Dr. Phyllis Palmer and Aaron Padilla explore the clinical application of...

We bring attention to a widespread challenge in clinical care: decisions and recommendation that don’t follow the patient. Whether it’s missing imaging, undocumented rationale, or unclear explanations, these breakdowns in continuity disrupt care, bias clinical judgment, and strip patients of informed choice.

Explore what happens when information isn’t transferred in a usable, human-centered way—and how clinic...

This episode explores the concepts of patient centric care and research—does intervention matter if your patient doesn’t care about it? With insights from decades of clinical practice and research, the guests share strategies for therapy that actually fits real lives.

Guests:

Dr. Giselle Carnaby, MPH, PhD, CCC-SLP, F-ASHA

Dr. Michael Crary, PhD, F-ASHA

Gap Education:
https://swallowthegap.com
Instagram:
https://www...

What does pre-stroke neurological health have to do with swallowing prognosis, post stroke?

In this episode, Dr. Janina Wilmskoetter, Assistant Professor at the Medical University of South Carolina, discusses her recent publication, Cerebral Small Vessel Disease is an Independent Determinant of Dysphagia After Acute Stroke. Join us for insights into clinical implications for patients with dysphagia!

For questions, reach out ...

Dr. Catriona Steele, president of the Dysphagia Research Society, discusses her journey in dysphagia research, including motivation from her pre-PhD days, and focuses on systematic reviews. She highlights the need for rigorous and transparent methodologies in evaluating research quality, introduces the FRONTIERS framework, and underscores the importance of continual learning and questioning in the field.

Episode Resources fr...

What happens when you get 6 speech pathologists with 150 years of collective experience stuck together in a room?

You’ll have to listen to find out!

Join Julie Blair, Laurie Sterling, Dr. Deb Suiter, Dr. Barbara Messing, Jo Puntil, and Dr. Tim Stockdale (that’s 1, 2, 3, 4 ASHA fellows!) in a special edition episode, as we enjoy a laid-back evening conversation at the 2024 ASHA Convention in Seattle, Wash...

Believe it or not, there is extensive variability in how dysphagia is defined. Listen in as Drs. Giselle Carnaby, Debra Suiter, and Martin Brodsky discuss challenges and importance of defining dysphagia. The discussion highlights variability in how dysphagia is understood and defined across research, clinical practice, and healthcare systems. This gap has implications for patient care, reimbursement, and professional credibility. W...

Join us for an insightful discussion with Jaclyn Pederson, CEO of Feeding Matters, as we discuss the critical gaps in education for pediatric feeding disorders. Jaclyn sheds light on the challenges faced by clinicians, who often lack the specialized training needed to manage complex feeding issues in children. Drawing on her background in nonprofit leadership and healthcare innovation, she shares a strategic approach to advocating ...

In this episode, we explore how a solid understanding of cranial nerves can make dysphagia evaluations more precise and guide treatment. By knowing which nerves impact each part of the swallow and how to interpret the oral mechanical exam, clinicians can tailor treatments to lead to better patient outcomes.

Guest: Kendrea L. Garand, PhD, CScD, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, CBIS, CCRE

This episode is graciously sponsored by Bracco D...

In this episode, we turn the tables as guest host Jeanette Benigas, PhD, interviews Tim on the concept of "functional" swallowing. They explore what truly defines functional swallowing by delving into its core impact on nutrition, hydration, quality of life, and pulmonary health. Together, they reframe our understanding of swallowing function, challenging traditional views and grounding the discussion in clinical outcomes that matt...

Join Tim and Dr. Gabriela "Gabi" Constantinescu as they explore the use of surface electromyography (sEMG) in swallowing rehabilitation. Gabi, with her background as a clinician and PhD in Rehabilitation Medicine, shares insights on how sEMG biofeedback can enhance patient engagement and outcomes in dysphagia therapy. Whether you're familiar with this technology or new to it, this episode offers a clear and practical overview of ho...

We’re thrilled to have a neurology physician out of Düsseldorf, Germany join us to explore neurogenic dysphagia and the role of interdisciplinary treatments in its management. Dr. Bendix Labeit will introduce central compensatory mechanisms, brain stimulation, pharmacological therapies, and more, offering insights to shift the way SLPs approach dysphagia care.

Episode Sponsor: Phagenesis -Non-surgical, neurostimulation...

How can Inspiratory Muscle Strength Training (IMST) be integrated into your patient care? In this episode, we explore respiratory muscle strength training (RMST), with a specific focus on IMST—one of the less familiar tools for speech-language pathologists. Tune in as we discuss the science and real-world applications of RMST, with expert insights from Dr. Alex Brandimore. Whether you’re new to RMST or looking to deepen...