Speech therapist led voice clinic: Which patients may be suitable?

Abstract

Joint Voice clinics run by an ENT surgeon (Laryngologist) and Voice therapist avoid repetition of clinical assessment, better planning of patient management and early initiation of treatment. Although is perceived as optimal management of voice patients it is perhaps not necessary for all patients as it is time consuming for the clinicians involved. The aim of this study was to investigate whether it was possible to identify any subgroup of patients that could potentially be seen in a Voice therapist-led new patient clinic by reviewing the outcome of 96 patients referred to a Joint Voice clinic. Forty-four patients were referred for voice therapy out of which 13 (30%) were teachers or lecturers (total number: 16 (81%)). Two others in this subgroup required medical treatment and the other surgery. The most common aetiology in these professional voice users was muscle tension dysphonia (10 patients, 63%). It is concluded that experienced Voice therapists appropriately trained in laryngostroboscopic assessment could potentially receive and manage direct referrals from primary care physicians. They should however work as part of a multi-professional Voice Disorders Team where the patients could be reviewed by an ENT surgeon if necessary. This would significantly improve the patient pathway for these patients, be cost-effective and make the best use of therapist's and ENT surgeon's time.

Immediate effects of the incentive spirometer in women with healthy voice

“…This is an experimental study with intra-subject comparison (Phase 1) (13) , approved by the Ethics Research Committee of the Federal University of Minas Gerais -(Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG)) (4,331,770). The single-subject design without the clinical condition (Phase 1) was defined based on the need to investigate the safety and effect of Respiron® on the voice quality of vocally healthy women.…”

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Efeitos imediatos do inspirômetro de incentivo em mulheres vocalmente saudáveis

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Assessment of chronic childhood dysphonia

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