Tracy Lazenby-Paterson, Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist, RCSLT Professional Advisor, ALD Dysphagia, NHS Lothian

Using thickener in the management of dysphagia: understanding the disconnect between evidence and practice

Thickening drinks is a common strategy used by SLTs in the treatment of patients with dysphagia to fluids. The rationale for providing commercially or naturally thickened drinks, is that the slower flow rate of fluid reduces risk of aspiration and improves swallow safety and quality of life for patients with dysphagia. However, while this notion appears intuitively plausible, the evidence presents a different picture that calls into question the efficacy and effectiveness of this tool and that highlights real and potential harms to patients.

The presentation will refer to key evidence to challenge our thinking about:

• The reasons why we use thickener

• The complex relationships between thickener, aspiration and pneumonia

• What kind of pneumonia it is, and if we can do anything about it

• The kind of evidence that is important when looking at the research about thickeners

• The challenges of changing practice, including cognitive biases that affect our decision-making

• In addition to lecture, the event will aim to provide opportunities for discussion and reflection.

Speaker bio:

Tracy qualified as a Speech and Language Therapist in 1999, and has specialised in working with Adults with Learning Disabilities in NHS Lothian since 2004. She has been a RCSLT Professional Adviser in ALD Dysphagia since 2007, Chair of the Scotland Dysphagia CEN since 2010 and is a member of the UCLAN Advancing Dysphagia Practice committee. Tracy has developed and lectured on a range of specialist undergraduate and postgraduate courses and conferences in dysphagia, including the MMU Advanced Clinical Practice in Dysphagia course and the RCSLT Dysphagia symposium. Research interests and academic publications include the impact of aging on eating, drinking and swallowing function in adults with learning disabilities, ethical considerations in the assessment and management of dysphagia and the changing evidence base regarding aspiration and texture/viscosity modification.

Please note there are no refreshments included in this ticket price.