Swallowing and Voice

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

170 hours

The following two subjects:

N/A

N/A

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website : http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

This unit adopts a socio-cultural framework, to explore the physiology, assessment, diagnosis and management of voice and swallowing problems across
the lifespan. Across the lifespan individuals may experience problems with ingesting food and liquid and with voice production. Individuals with these problems often present to speech pathology. This subject will provide a broad overview of the systems that underpin voice production and swallowing. This will focus on the anatomy and physiology (to compliment material taught in Year 1: Semester 1) of vocal mechanism and the swallowing mechanism, where breakdown occurs and evidence based intervention strategies. This unit places the patient at the centre of the discipline with a focus on vocal function, voice disorders and treatments, swallowing function, disorders and treatments and the psychosocial components of both.

On completion of this subject students should show:

• understanding of the structure and function of the following human body systems; respiration, larynx/voice production, and swallowing
• understanding of the range and type of swallowing and voice disorders
• understand the range of treatment options, and be able to plan and implement treatment options for swallowing and voice disorders
• understanding in assessment tools e.g,. voice, video and digital recordings
• understanding referral pathways to professionals with additional expertise

• Completion of a 10-minute oral presentation (1000 words) of a clinical case to the group in Week 10, Semester 2 – 20%
• Completion of a (1,500 word) Diagnostic Report to be submitted in Week 12, Semester 2 – 30%
• A two hour written examination at the end of Semester 2 – 50%.

Hurdle requirement: Students must pass the written exam in order to pass the subject.

Colton R, Casper JK, Leonard R. Understanding Voice Problems: A Physiological Perspective for Diagnosis and Treatment. 4th ed. Baltimore, MD: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2011.
Groher ME, Crary MA. Dysphagia: Clinical Management in Adults and Children. Maryland Heights, MO: Mosby Elsevier; 2009.
Stemple JC, Glaze LE, Klaben B. Clinical voice pathology : theory and management. 4th ed. San Diego, CA: Plural Pub.; 2010.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On completion of this subject students should show:

• an ability to evaluate and synthesise information in a flexible manner
• a capacity to articulate their knowledge in both oral and written formats