Within the otolaryngology (ENT) setting, speech pathologists specialize in providing diagnostic and therapeutic services to those patients who have voice conditions such as dysphonia, upper airway conditions, cough/irritable larynx syndrome and/or swallowing conditions such as dysphagia. They also work with people who have oral/head/neck cancer.
Meet the AOC Speech Pathology Team!
Benefits of Collaborative Care
AOC has a collaborative clinic, where the laryngologist and SLP see patients together. This is extremely helpful for patient care, collaboration and optimal planning. There is also extensive research that highlights the advantages of a collaborative model:
- “Multidisciplinary clinics that evaluate voice and swallowing disorders with both an otolaryngologist and SLP present have been widely regarded as the gold standard of practice.” (Litts et al., 2017).
- “The evidence indicates that the benefits of a multidisciplinary clinic (MD+SLP) to evaluate and treat voice and swallowing disorders include improved adherence to recommended behavioral therapies, improved overall outcomes, and less revenue lost due to dropout and no-show rates.” (Litts et al., 2017)
- Outcomes reveal the positive impact of the laryngologist and SLP co-assessment: “Patients with a joint evaluation (+SLP) were compared with those only seen by an MD (-SLP) and the +SLP group showed significant improvement in VHI-10 scores and demonstrated greater ability to meet treatment goals despite no significant differences in initial symptoms severity. This group also had fewer cancellations and no-show visits over a 3-month period.” (Litts et al., 2017).
- “Patients evaluated in a coordinated interdisciplinary clinic were found to be more likely to attend voice therapy and complete their plan of care, regardless of other factors.” (Starmer et al., 2014).
- “…patients evaluated in the multidisciplinary clinic are more likely to comply with SLP treatment recommendations.” (Starmer et al., 2011).
- “Concurrent voice evaluation by a speech language pathologist and laryngologist at initial diagnostic visit affects therapy attendance, voice therapy outcomes and ultimately SLP and departmental billing revenue. Results may be due to more appropriate therapy referrals from SLP assessment of patients in conjunction with a laryngologist.” (Litts et al, 2015).
- “Patients in the collaborative model-based group had fewer cancellations, greater change in VHI-10 from pre-to post-therapy, and were more likely to be discharged from therapy having met therapeutic goals (than patients in the non-collaborative model-based group).” (Litts et al., 2015).
At AOC, we offer two different support groups—the Valley of the Sun dysphonia support group through Dysphonia International and our own chapter of SPOHNC, Support for People with Oral/Head/Neck Cancer.
Valley of the Sun meetings are on the third Thursday of every other month at 5:30 p.m. MST, and SPOHNC meetings are on the first Tuesday of every month at 5:30 p.m. MST. Meetings involve a speaker/topic as well as a discussion/support portion and usually last around one hour.
Please email Sara at sarad@aocphysicans to be added to either email list, and you will receive all info and updates related to meetings, links and follow-ups.
AOC providers regularly show support and bring awareness to the community by participating in Dysphonia International and SPOHNC walk events!
For more information on services, or to schedule an appointment with our speech pathology team, please call Roxanna Musko, AOC speech pathology assistant at: 602-476-5004.
