What You May Have Missed in Grad School: Why So Many Clinicians Feel Underprepared

Demonstrate, Advocate: Bring Your Value to Multidisciplinary Settings

What does it look like to bring value as a speech-language pathologist when productivity demands are real and time is limited? In this episode, I talk with Jaimie Anderson, SLP and clinical researcher at one of the nation’s first multidisciplinary swallowing centers. We get into what this looks like in practice. Not in ideal settings, but in the day-to-day. Hallway conversations. Documentation that answers questions before they’re asked. Building relationships with the right people over time. A big part of this conversation is the tension most clinicians feel. You know multidisciplinary care matters, but you don’t always have the structure or support to do it the way you’d like. Jaimie walks through how she has approached this, starting small and building from there rather than waiting for the system to change. We also spend time on diagnostic reasoning, especially how to handle uncertainty without stepping outside your role.  Advocacy comes up throughout the conversation as well. Not just identifying problems, but bringing a direction with them. Over time, that tends to land differently. Personal Contact information: * E-mail: anderson84@usf.edu [anderson84@usf.edu]  * Social Media: jaimieandersonslp * LinkedIn Jaimie Anderson Swallowing Symposium: * https://health.usf.edu/medicine/internalmedicine/swallowing/annualswallowingsymposium-new/overview [https://health.usf.edu/medicine/internalmedicine/swallowing/annualswallowingsymposium-new/overview] * Social Media: usfswallowingsymposium Neurological Disorders and the Speech-Language Pathologist Webinar: * https://www.swallowthegap.com/neuroslp26 [https://www.swallowthegap.com/neuroslp26] Gap Education: https://swallowthegap.com [https://swallowthegap.com/livecourses] https://www.facebook.com/GapEducationLLC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swallowpatho [https://www.instagram.com/swallowpatho]

What You May Have Missed in Grad School: Why So Many Clinicians Feel Underprepared

Why do so many clinicians feel underprepared when they first begin treating dysphagia? In a discussion that applies to SLPs in various settings, Dr. Jordan Hazelwood and I dive into challenges students face when transitioning from theory to clinical decision making, the importance of mentorship and critical thinking, and how simulation and structured training may help bridge the education-to-practice gap. Gap Education: https://swallowthegap.com [https://swallowthegap.com/livecourses] https://www.facebook.com/GapEducationLLC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swallowpatho [https://www.instagram.com/swallowpatho]

When the Walls Come Down: Cognitive Care in Real Life

This discussion explores what cognitive communication therapy can look like when it moves beyond worksheets and test scores. Guest Lauren Schwabish, an SLP with more than two decades of experience, explains how shifting into community-based practice allowed her to engage patients in more meaningful, real-life problem solving. She describes using self-anchored rating scales, functional observation, and collaborative strategies rather than relying solely on impairment-based models. The episode also touches on managing cognitive fatigue, reframing therapy goals, and addressing persistent myths about neuroplasticity. Listeners will hear practical examples of how SLPs can adapt interventions to match the demands of everyday life. Lauren’s enthusiasm for her work is matched by a thoughtful examination of how clinicians can avoid burnout and rediscover purpose.  Find Lauren at neurospeechservices.com [https://www.neurospeechservices.com] or Instagram @neurospeechservices [https://www.instagram.com/neurospeechservices/]   https://brainfatigue.se/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/MFS-English.pdf  [ https://brainfatigue.se/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/MFS-English.pdf ] Gap Education: https://swallowthegap.com [https://swallowthegap.com/livecourses] https://www.facebook.com/GapEducationLLC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swallowpatho [https://www.instagram.com/swallowpatho]

Beyond the Book: Real Talk About Head and Neck Cancer Care

Three head and neck cancer specialists from coast-to-coast share insights that may challenge some traditional dysphagia management approaches. Dr. Carly Barbon (MD Anderson), Dr. Mario Landera (University of Miami), and Dr. Heather Starmer (Stanford) discuss why functional goals are important with this population, the critical importance of shared decision-making, and how quality of life factors like depression and mental health should weigh in for clinical decisions. Through powerful patient stories and practical advice, these expert clinicians reveal what it really means to be a "battle buddy" for head and neck cancer patients.  Thanks to financial sponsorship from BRACCO Diagnostics, Inc, access to the post-test and reporting for ASHA CEUs is offered at no cost to our learners for a limited time. More Info [https://www.swallowthegap.com/hncpod2025]: https://www.swallowthegap.com/hncpod2025 [https://www.swallowthegap.com/hncpod2025] (Oct 25, 2025 - Dec 31, 2025 only) Live Webinar: Interested in a deep dive into HNC? Join us for a six hour, advanced-level course, The Head and Neck Cancer Speech-Language Pathology Clinic , on January 31, 2026. Details [https://www.swallowthegap.com/hncwebinar]: https://www.swallowthegap.com/hncwebinar [https://www.swallowthegap.com/hncwebinar] Gap Education: https://swallowthegap.com [https://swallowthegap.com/livecourses] https://www.facebook.com/GapEducationLLC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swallowpatho [https://www.instagram.com/swallowpatho]

BOLUS and Beyond: Advancing Critical Reasoning in Dysphagia

The BOLUS framework helps clinicians move beyond the idea that aspiration always translates to pneumonia by encouraging a critical, multi-factor approach to dysphagia care. Designed for use before, during, and after patient encounters, the framework supports more comprehensive assessment, treatment planning, and interdisciplinary communication. In this episode, Dr. Phyllis Palmer and Aaron Padilla explore the clinical application of the BOLUS framework. Together, we discuss how clinicians can think critically about the many factors influencing dysphagia management, anticipate challenges before meeting the patient, and apply practical strategies to strengthen interdisciplinary communication and provide more individualized treatment. This episode is eligible for 0.1 ASHA CEUs through Nov. 30, 2025. No partial CE credit is provided. Fee waived thanks for a donation from Bracco Diagnostics [https://www.bracco.com/en-us/we-are-bracco] Learn More: https://www.swallowthegap.com/boluspodcast [https://www.swallowthegap.com/boluspodcast] Gap Education: https://swallowthegap.com [https://swallowthegap.com/livecourses] https://www.facebook.com/GapEducationLLC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swallowpatho [https://www.instagram.com/swallowpatho]