Rethinking thickened liquids S7E06

In this week’s episode SPA’s Jessica Kaplonyi speaks with Tracy Lazenby-Paterson from the National Health Service and Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists in the UK, and Dr Arlene McCurtin from the University of Limerick in Ireland, about research into thickened fluids and people living with dysphagia. They discuss misconceptions about thickened liquids as an intervention, unintended consequences, re-examining client outcomes, and alternative approaches to achieve them. Resources: McCurtin, A., Collins, L., King, L., Lazenby-Paterson, T., Lisiecka, D., Leslie, P., McInerney, M., Moran, A., O’Keefe, S., Smith, A. (2024). Beyond thickened liquids: for your consideration. Journal of Clinical Practice in Speech-Language Pathology. 26: 2. 128-166. https://doi.org/10.1080/22000259.2024.2359368 Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists. Position paper on the use of thickened fluids in the management of people with swallowing difficulties. RCSLT Position Paper 2024. London: RCSLT, 2024. Available at: http://www.rcslt.org/members/clinical-guidance/dysphagia/thickened-fluids SPA Resources: SPA Position statement (public): The role of speech pathology in informed choice and shared decision-making in dysphagia. (Public) https://speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/resource?resource=107 SPA Practice guidelines (members only): Dysphagia https://speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/resource?resource=125 Informed choice and shared decision making with people who eat and drink with acknowledged risk: https://speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/resource?resource=521 Speech Pathology Australia acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of lands, seas and waters throughout Australia, and pay respect to Elders past and present. We recognise that the health and social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are grounded in continued connection to culture, country, language and community and acknowledge that sovereignty was never ceded. Free access to transcripts and for a full list of resources / references for this podcast is available via the SPA Learning Hub (https://learninghub.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/), you will need to sign in or create an account. For more information, please see our Bio or for further enquiries, email speakuppodcast@speechpathologyaustralia.org.au Disclaimer: © (2025) The Speech Pathology Association of Australia Limited. All rights reserved. Important Notice, Please read: The views expressed in this presentation and reproduced in these materials are not necessarily the views of, or endorsed by, The Speech Pathology Association of Australia Limited (“the Association”). The Association makes no warranty or representation in relation to the content, currency or accuracy of any of the materials comprised in this recording. The Association expressly disclaims any and all liability (including liability for negligence) in respect of use of these materials and the information contained within them. The Association recommends you seek independent professional advice prior to making any decision involving matters outlined in this recording including in any of the materials referred to or otherwise incorporated into this recording. Except as otherwise stated, copyright and all other intellectual property rights comprised in the presentation and these materials, remain the exclusive property of the Association. Except with the Association’s prior written approval you must not, in whole or part, reproduce, modify, adapt, distribute, publish or electronically communicate (including by online means) this recording or any of these materials.

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The Speak Up podcast by Speech Pathology Australia highlights conversations with esteemed contributors in the speech pathology space. We explore key issues in the profession, in a short and easy to listen to format. Free access to audio transcripts, and where relevant resource / reference lists, for all Speak Up Podcast episodes are available via the Association’s Learning Hub, you will need to sign in or create an account. 1. Go to: www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/Public/…e616542. 2. Filter – Format – Podcast – Search 3. Select the podcast of your choice 4. Enrol (you will need to sign in or create an account) 5. Add to cart – Proceed to checkout – Submit 6. You will receive an email Order Confirmation with a link back to the Learning Hub 7. The Podcast and transcript will be available in your Learning Centre For further enquiries, please email speakuppodcast@speechpathologyaustralia.org.au We advise listeners to assess the currency of the content based on the time of their listening, as it may have become outdated. We may remove any recording, or part of any recording at any time for any reason. Episodes that are five years old or older have been archived. You can request access to an archived episode by contacting: speakuppodcast@speechpathologyaustralia.org.au A complete list of episodes is available on the SPA Learning Hub: https://learninghub.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/topclass/login.do Season 1 has been archived, and season 2 will be as episodes become five years old over the course of 2025. Disclaimer: © (2025) The Speech Pathology Association of Australia Limited. All rights reserved. Important Notice, Please read: The views expressed in this presentation and reproduced in these materials are not necessarily the views of, or endorsed by, The Speech Pathology Association of Australia Limited (“the Association”). The Association makes no warranty or representation in relation to the content, currency or accuracy of any of the materials comprised in this presentation. The Association expressly disclaims any and all liability (including liability for negligence) in respect of use of these materials and the information contained within them. The Association recommends you seek independent professional advice prior to making any decision involving matters outlined in these recordings including in any of the materials referred to or otherwise incorporated into these recordings. Except as otherwise stated, copyright and all other intellectual property rights comprised in the presentation and these materials, remain the exclusive property of the Association. Except with the Association’s prior written approval you must not, in whole or part, reproduce, modify, adapt, distribute, publish or electronically communicate (including by online means) this presentation or any of these materials.