Careers at UHN

Departmental Profiles

Rehabilitation Services - Speech Language Pathology

Vision
To become an internationally recognized centre of excellence in the area of speech and swallowing neuromotor control.

Mission
Speech-Language Pathology shares the University Health Network's mission to provide exemplary patient care and foster excellence in health care delivery, research and teaching. To accomplish this mission, Speech-Language Pathology aims to:

• Provide exemplary programs of patient care, education and research in the areas of communication and swallowing disorders, with particular emphasis on the hospital's Priority Programs;
• Develop collaborative relationships with multiple disciplines in the hospital and university communities for comprehensive patient care and enriched educational and research activities;
• Work in partnership with our patients for their ultimate benefit; facilitate a dynamic interaction between clinical and research activities within Speech Language Pathology and between Departments to optimize the potential for staff and program development.

Patients seen at University Health Network present with complex communication problems resulting from neurological dysfunction, head and neck cancer or the use of medication. Approximately 75 per cent of Speech-Language Pathology's resources are devoted to the management of swallowing disorders. Swallowing disorders result from neuromuscular weakness, discoordination, reduced level of consciousness, reduced respiratory function, and structural or mechanical causes. A full time speech-language pathologist services the pediatric population through the Child and Adolescent Health Unit. An additional 7.5 FTE's provide Medical Speech-Language Pathology services to adult populations across Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto General Hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital.

Swallowing Clinic - Populations serviced are varied and includes patients from Nursing Homes and other health care institutions. In addition many Neuroscience patients are seen for reassessment following their discharge from Toronto Western through the Swallowing Clinic. A full range of service is provided to patients including clinical evaluation, radiographic assessment (videofluoroscopy), patient education and consultation to Gastroenterology and Clinical Nutrition, where indicated.

Neural and Sensory Science Programs - This program grouping, including Neurology, Neurosurgery, Spinal, and Stroke Programs, is housed primarily at Toronto Western Hospital Medical conditions include: Parkinson's Disease, Myasthenia Gravis, Spinal Cord Injury, cerebral vascular abnormalities, brain tumours and epilepsy. Speech-language pathologists assess patients with cognitive-communication, language, and speech disorders.

General Internal Medicine - Primarily a geriatric population is served within this service, and they are often patients with neurological histories which may include pre-existing dementia, stroke or Parkinson's disease. This tends to be the most ethnically diverse of the clinical services. General Internal Medicine also houses the Acute Stroke Investigation Unit at Toronto Western Hospital, where patients with a new onset of stroke are seen and receive innovative and cutting-edge medical treatments. The speech-language pathologist is a key member of the team and provides early assessment to patients with respect to their swallowing ability. Patients are further investigated with respect to communication ability and recommendations for rehabilitation are made.

Oncology and Blood Disorders - The University Health Network is a major centre for the assessment and treatment of Head and Neck Cancer. Speech-language pathologists work closely with Head and Neck surgeons to provide service to patients with oral and laryngeal cancer. Patients undergoing total laryngectomy are followed through their pre-operative, peri-operative and postoperative care. A full range of alaryngeal speech rehabilitation is provided including tracheo-esophageal Puncture and voice prosthesis management.

Heart and Circulation Program Grouping - Patients can present with complex communication problems after heart surgery as a result of stroke, anoxia or use of certain medications. Swallowing disorders can also occur as a result from neuromuscular weakness, reduced level of consciousness and reduced respiratory function. The speech-language pathologist is a key team member in the management of the heart patients post-surgery.

Child and Adolescent Health Unit - Speech-Language Pathology also provides service to the preschool population with speech and language dysfunction. The primary emphasis is on PDD/Autistic Spectrum Disorder.

Intensive Care Units - The Speech-language pathologist's role in ICU focuses on tracheotomy and ventilator dependent patients from a swallowing and communication perspective. Speech-language pathologists, along with colleagues in Nursing and Respiratory Care are key members of the multi-professional Tracheostomy Team which makes walk around visits to the bedsides of tracheostomied patients throughout University Health Network to ensure a high quality of care for these patients.

Qualifications
Rehabilitation Services

 

 

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