Module Directory

This module will revise and build upon content covering anatomy, physiology and neurology from year 1 of the degree and introduce students to observation, investigation and intervention techniques alongside the professional reasoning skills required to underpin practical management of eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties (i.e. dysphagia). Aspects of the work will be practical, for example role playing of oral-facial and assessment techniques or delivering presentations of cases.

The aims of this module are:

• To develop students’ understanding of eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties (dysphagia).


• To introduce to students the impact of Eating, Drinking and Swallowing (EDS) difficulties.


• To develop students’ skills and understanding of clinical techniques in observation, identification and management of EDS difficulties.


• To enable students to continue the process of meeting the (EDS) pre-registration professional body’s requirements (with a view to full completion in Year 3 of the programme).

By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:

1. Describe the neuroanatomy and neurology involved in oropharyngeal function.


2. Explain the influence of EDS on health and general wellbeing.


3. Describe the normal EDS anatomy, and physiology of the upper gastro-intestinal tract over the life span.


4. Discuss the factors causing or associated with EDS difficulties and the progress of conditions using appropriate terminology.


5. State and apply basic principles underlying health and safety policies and procedures to professional working and to service users at risk of EDS difficulties.


6. Outline the roles and scope of practice of the SLT and MDT members working in the area of EDS.


7. Compare and contrast EDS impairment, assessments, and management.


8. Appraise a range of evidence-based rehabilitation and compensatory techniques.


9. State the need and routes for appropriate referral to other MDT members.


10. Construct appropriate review timelines across different scenarios.


11. Examine indicators for appropriate instrumental assessment.


12. Apply ethical and legal frameworks, and cultural and service influences on decision-making.


13. Select and justify the intervention approaches for different case scenarios and effectively communicate these approaches through verbal and written presentation for different stakeholders.


14. Identify and explain the reasons for conducting a range of different assessments of swallowing.


15. Apply digital tools such as using presentation software and AI tools to enhance the structure of presented information and engagement.

Professional body requirements

In order to meet accreditation requirements, students will be required to pass this module.

Syllabus information

Indicative list of content to be taught in this module:

• Neuroanatomy and neurology involved in oropharyngeal function.


• The influence of EDS on health and general wellbeing.


• Normal EDS anatomy, and physiology of the upper gastro-intestinal tract over the life span.


• Factors causing or associated with EDS difficulties and the progress of conditions.


• Basic principles underlying health and safety policies and procedures, and application to professional working and to service users at risk of EDS difficulties.


• The role and scope of practice of the SLT working in the area of EDS.


• The roles and scope of practice of MDT members working in the area of EDS.


• Appropriate terminology in EDS and impairment, assessment, and management.


• Evidence-based rehabilitation and compensatory techniques.


• Need and routes for appropriate referral to other MDT members.


• Appropriate review timelines across different scenarios.


• Indicators for appropriate instrumental assessment.


• Ethical, legal, cultural and service influences on decision-making.


• Intervention approaches to different case scenarios.


• Reasons for conducting a range of different assessments of swallowing.

This module will be delivered via:

• Lectures, discussions, group work and practical workshops.

Students are expected to complete readings either before or after classes, whichever is applicable, and be prepared to engage in discussion either in class or (a-)synchronous online activities (e.g. via Moodle).