ABSTRACT
The overall responsibility for the management of the client's dysphagia rests with the client's medical practitioner. Medications for the management of Parkinson's disease, myasthenia gravis and multiple sclerosis may have a positive impact on the client's swallowing mechanism if administered at the appropriate time before eating and drinking. Clients with swallowing disorders may experience difficulty with the passing of a nasogastric tube. Specialist swallowing clinics are becoming more common in the United Kingdom. Neurologists, ear, nose and throat surgeons or consultant radiologists may run these with speech and language therapists, dietitians and nurses. The speech and language therapist plays a key role in multidisciplinary training to facilitate staff awareness and understanding of dysphagia and its complications. 'Collaborative Practice in Dysphagia' suggests that the occupational therapist considers the impact of physical, environmental, social and behavioural factors in the assessment and management of clients with dysphagia.
