7th European Congress of NeuroRehabilitation 2023

<h1>Course description</h1><p>This one-day intensive dysphagia course aims to provide attendees with a comprehensive understanding of dysphagia, including its implications, diagnosis, and treatment. The course is led by esteemed professionals in the field, Michaela Trapl-Grundschober from the University Clinic Tulln, Austria and Björn Degen from the Center for Swallowing Disorders Vienna, Austria. This event is meticulously curated to cover a wide range of fundamental and complex topics, ensuring that participants gain a comprehensive understanding of dysphagia and its management. The course begins with an overview of its aim and structure, setting the stage for the topics to be covered. Participants will gain an understanding of the course’s objectives and how the content will be delivered. They will have the opportunity to meet the instructors and fellow participants, fostering a collaborative learning environment.
The following specific topics will be addressed during the course:</p>
First, the impact of dysphagia on rehabilitation will be explored in depth. Participants will delve into the complications and influencing factors associated with this condition and will gain a profound understanding of the significance of dysphagia in medical and healthcare practices. The main complications such as pneumonia, dehydration, and malnutrition will be discussed in depth.

Salle Saint Clair 2

Aim and structure of the course

Introduction | Importance of Dysphagia

Workshop

Chair

Understanding normal swallowing is essential for effective dysphagia management. This section covers the neuroanatomy and physiology of the swallowing function, providing a solid foundation for subsequent discussions. Participants will learn about the intricate coordination of muscles and nerves involved in the swallowing process. The instructors will use visual aids and interactive demonstrations to enhance the learning experience.

Understanding normal swallowing as the basis for Dysphagia-Management Neuroanatomy and physiology of swallowing function

Normal swallowing

Participants will explore the symptoms and pathomechanisms of swallowing disorders. While stroke-related also covers etiologies such as traumatic brain injury (TBI) and other neurological conditions. Through case examples, participants will develop a comprehensive understanding of the diverse range of underlying diseases that can lead to dysphagia.

Symptoms and pathomechanisms of swallowing<br> Focus on dysphagia following stroke (But other etiologies as well, such as TBI)

Disordered swallowing

As one of the central subjects, this segment covers various aspects of identifying swallowing disorders. Participants will learn about different screening tools, such as water swallow screening tools and multi-consistency screening tools, that aim to identify at-risk patients. The instructors will discuss the pros and cons of each screening tool, highlighting their clinical utility.<br>
Clinical swallowing evaluation will be a key focus, providing participants with options and boundaries in assessing swallowing function clinically. They will learn how to identify signs and symptoms, conduct a thorough evaluation, and interpret the findings. In addition, participants will gain insights into the most commonly used instrumental assessment techniques: Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) and Videofluoroscopic Swallowing Study (VFSS). The instructors will demonstrate how to use the equipment, explain the procedure and discuss the interpretation of results. Participants will have the opportunity to see videos of FEES and VFSS procedures, deepening their understanding of these instrumental assessments.

Screening<br>Clinical Swallowing Evaluation

Identification of swallowing disorders (part 1)

Instrumental Assessment (FEES | VFSS)

Identification of swallowing disorders (part 2)

This section guides participants through the journey from diagnosing dysphagia to formulating an individualized treatment plan. Key topics to be covered include nutritional aspects, introducing the International Dysphagia Diet Standardization Initiative (IDDSI), compensation techniques, and rehabilitation options. The instructors will present evidence-based approaches to managing dysphagia, incorporating the latest research findings and best practices. Participants will engage in interactive case studies, applying their knowledge to develop comprehensive treatment plans tailored to different patient scenarios.

Nutritional Aspects | Introducing IDDSI<br>Compensation<br> Rehabilitation

From diagnosis to treatment

<p>The course culminates in a highly interactive and practical session where attendees will develop an individual dysphagia-management pathway tailored to their respective settings. Facilitated by the instructors, participants will apply the
knowledge and techniques learned throughout the course to real-life scenarios for refining their skills in dysphagia management. The instructors will provide guidance, ensuring participants confidence gain in their ability to implement evidence-based strategies in their clinical practice and to implement clinical pathways in dysphagia-management. The course concludes by summarizing the key takeaways from the comprehensive exploration of dysphagia. The participants will reflect on their learning journey and solidify their understanding of dysphagia’s implications, diagnosis, and treatment. The instructors will provide additional resources, references, and recommended further reading materials to support the participants in their ongoing professional development.</p>
This Dysphagia Course Series aims to be an enriching and enlightening experience for all attendees, offering valuable insights into dysphagia and its management. 

Björn Degen

Vorsitz