DIGEST™ Training Program for Videofluoroscopic Swallow Studies

The DIGEST training is now available online! This virtual course uses self-study of a written training manual and four webinars over 6 months to train clinical raters to use DIGEST™ to grade the results of the modified barium swallow study or videofluoroscopic evaluation of swallowing.

Training manual topics include:

• Rating of the core components (laryngeal penetration/aspiration and pharyngeal residue)
• Operating definitions for the DIGEST tool

Example scenarios are provided to apply concepts to real-world clinical practice. Webinars will include live examples of video rating and review of key concepts in the training manual.

Your registration ($199) will include:

• DIGEST manual self-study course
• 4 live Zoom webinars (June 1, July 6, September 7 and November 30, 2022)
• Each live webinar will run from 11:30 am CT- 1:00 pm CT.

NOTE: Live webinars will be recorded and made available for viewing until December 31, 2022. If you are unable to join the live webinars, you can watch the recordings, complete the post-course surveys and claim ASHA CEUs.

In order to attend the Zoom webinars, you must first complete the pre-test and self-study of the training manual, then pass the post-test with a score of 90% or higher to receive your training certificate. The manual, and pre/post tests can be found in the View Content section of the course page.

The links to the Zoom webinars will be sent separately.

Learning Outcomes:

The learner will use DIGEST to reproducibly grade dysphagia severity from the modified barium swallow study (videofluoroscopy), specifically to: 

1. Apply DIGEST criteria in decision tree accurately

2. Rate laryngeal penetration/aspiration and pharyngeal residue according to DIGEST operating definitions

3. Apply penetration/aspiration and residue modifiers and decision tree to derive safety and efficiency grades

4. Apply DIGEST criteria accurately in setting of skipped bolus trials and compensatory strategies

Time Ordered Agenda (Self-Study): 
15 minutes- Written pre-test 
90 minutes-  Self-study of written manual 
15 minutes-  Written post-test  

Time Ordered Agenda (Webinars):
60 minutes- Key Components DIGEST Rating with Live Rating Examples
30 minutes- Participant Q&A

To ensure ideal functionality on the webinars, it is highly recommended that you join on a computer instead of a mobile device.

This course is offered for .3 ASHA CEUs
(Intermediate level, Professional Area)

Note: Certificates are available upon request. Please email [email protected] if you would like to request a certificate.

View the accessibility policy for The University of Texas M.D Anderson Cancer Center.

Disclosure: Dr. Hutcheson has the following financial relationship or relationship affiliations to disclose: She is employed by MD Anderson Cancer Center and receives a salary. She receives research grants or contracts from the National Institutes of Health, Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute, Thrive Foundation, Atos Medical, The MD Anderson Institutional Research Grant Program, and the Charles and Daneen Stiefel Oropharynx Fund, and is the developer of the DIGEST methodology. She has no relevant non-financial relationships to disclose.   

Faculty Member Information

Role in activity

Name of Ineligible Company(s) / Nature of Relationship(s)

Katherine A Hutcheson, PhD
Professor, Head & Neck Surgery
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

Faculty

Grant or research support-Atos Medical|Speakers Bureau-Medbridge|Speakers Bureau-Atos Medical (Relationship has ended)