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Stakeholder Perspectives on Radiation Use and Interdisciplinary Collaboration in Adult Modified Barium Swallow Studies

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Abstract

The Modified Barium Swallow Study (MBSS) is a videofluoroscopic examination of the anatomy and physiology involved in swallowing. Like other fluoroscopic examinations, the MBSS uses ionizing radiation with related radiation risks. Thus, the procedures and protocols related to MBSSs must balance the benefit of the diagnostic information gained with the risk of radiation exposure. This requires complex decision-making for any given clinician but becomes complicated due to the interprofessional nature of conducting MBSSs, namely the direct involvement of both the speech-language pathologist and radiologist with indirect involvement of the medical physicist and the referring physician. This editorial provides the perspectives of the various stakeholder groups related to radiation use in adult MBSSs, identifies barriers to conducting MBSSs in an evidence-based manner, and suggests areas for improvement.

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Funding

Heather Bonilha: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Grant R01DK098222 and the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Grant R01DK122975. Sameer Tipnis: Funding: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Grant R01DK122975. Bonnie Martin-Harris: Funding: National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders K23DC005764 and 2K24DC012801.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Rehabilitation Sciences, Health Science and Research, and Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, College of Health Professions, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA

    Heather Shaw Bonilha

  2. Department of Radiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA

    Cheri L. Canon

  3. Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29451, USA

    Ashli O’Rourke

  4. Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA

    Sameer Tipnis

  5. Roxelyn and Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, School of Communication, Departments of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery and Radiation Oncology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA

    Bonnie Martin-Harris

  6. Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital, Hines, IL, 60141, USA

    Bonnie Martin-Harris

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  1. Heather Shaw Bonilha
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  2. Cheri L. Canon
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  4. Sameer Tipnis
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  5. Bonnie Martin-Harris
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Correspondence to Heather Shaw Bonilha.

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Conflict of interest

Heather Bonilha: Financial interests: Bracco Diagnostics, Inc.; Employment by the Medical University of South Carolina. Cheri Canon: McGraw-Hill book royalties; Employment by University of Alabama – Birmingham. Ashli O’Rourke: Financial interests: GI Supply, Laborie Medical, Carolina Speech Services, Teladoc Inc.; Employment by the Medical University of South Carolina. Sameer Tipnis: Employment by the Medical University of South Carolina. Bonnie Martin-Harris: Bracco Diagnostics, Inc. Fellowship Grants; Financial interests: MBSImP™ royalties from the Medical University of South Carolina owner and license guarantor to Northern Speech Services (NSS). Employment by Northwestern University, Hines Jr. VA.

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Bonilha, H.S., Canon, C.L., O’Rourke, A. et al. Stakeholder Perspectives on Radiation Use and Interdisciplinary Collaboration in Adult Modified Barium Swallow Studies. Dysphagia 38, 23–32 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00455-022-10447-z

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