There has been great dialogue in Social Media re: the recent blog I posted “SLP Class of 2013: Some unsolicited advice” from SLPs all over the globe. I really appreciate everyone taking the time to make comments and share with their students and colleagues. Below are some selected posts I chose, that I thought may be encouraging and helpful to others. Thank you to all contributors. I feel this discussion is far from over.
“Even if you have been in the field for many years as I have, all of the above advice continues to hold true! An amazing aspect of our field is that it is constantly changing and affords so many opportunities to grow and learn.” -VML
“May I add: Do not hesitate to email or call your dysphagia professor – particularly if yours is, like me, one who has worked in the trenches. If she or he is like me, she will take the time to help. Sometimes we are really busy; don’t count on us to solve a case with you in the moment. But getting in touch may help you click those confusing ideas into place. And it can help you to discover that we, too, can be stumped. Finally, remember that one option given to a patient is no choice. Two options – better, but often more of a dilemma than true choice. Aim to broaden your ideas and offer your patient three options – all with their pros and cons balancing “risk” and “participation”. Just trying to do that, though difficult at first, will help you develop confidence in clinical decision making and avoid becoming too narrowly focused on either aspiration or any other detail. Once again, Jonathan, bravo.” -Kate K.
“Well said. I’ve been working in and around the Dysphagia field for over 20years and I’m still learning I would add- don’t forget to appreciate your own food and drink, and partner some clients in their need to re-experience pleasure somehow from oral intake.” -Heidi
