I wanted to share this just published paper by our SLP colleagues about the clinical swallow evaluation, which shares critical insights that will inform everyone’s practice, from pediatrics to adult.

The final paragraph will make you want to read it right now:
“Specific guidelines for carrying out a clinical feeding and swallowing evaluation require systematic decision making with considerations for high degree of variability within and across adult and pediatric patient populations. The CSE is not only a useful tool but a critical one. As aptly noted, “it is critical that the CSE not be relegated to the status of a screening tool. It is far too powerful” (Rosenbek et al., 2004). The CSE is often the first complete physical assessment of swallowing function for a patient where critical information is gathered and should not be overlooked. A thorough CSE extends beyond watching someone eat and drink; it is a multidimensional assessment. While reliability of individual measures remains questionable, the experienced clinician can make important judgments regarding patient safety that will help chart the course of care for individuals needing additional assessment and, possibly, intervention. Employing a standardized CSE tool after sufficient training will further enhance clinical decision making. As instrumental examinations are more costly, more invasive, and less available, the CSE can also serve to chart progress, or lack of progress, over time when it is conducted methodically and consistently.”

I hope you will enjoy this read as much as I did, and share it with your students.