Transdisciplinarity with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis’ Patients Care and Dysphagia

Introduction: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a degenerative neurological disease affecting different functions such as breathing, swallowing, and speech. Because of its progressive nature and affections, interrelated becomes essential the work of a team of professionals from different areas.

Objective: Reporting on the academic experience of disciplinary action among teams of neurology and speech and language therapy on an outpatient basis.

Resumed Report: A 70-year-old man (C.N.), diagnosed of ALS in 2010, was accompanied by a team of neurology of a hospital in southern Brazil. He was sent in 2013 for the speech and language therapy team linked to the practical action of a federal university. He was diagnosed with oropharyngeal dysphagia though clinical and instrumental evaluation. It was necessary to adapt food consistency, but there was not compliance of the patient and his family, despite the clarity and relevance of the required. Faced with this impasse, teams identified the need for joint consultation of the professionals to clarify the importance of adherence to the guidelines and the monitoring of a nutritionist.

Conclusion: The disciplinary action is a possibility of therapeutic intervention in complex cases and facing a lack of adherence to the guidelines. Through this it is possible to combine expertise, respecting the individuality of each professional, which each one contributes to the case. These joint consultations between the teams optimized the time of patient care and enable the comprehensive care of it. The academic experience of the interface between professionals allows a reflection on the performance in neurological cases.

Keywords: speech therapy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, dysphagia.