Inter-rater reliability remains disappointingly low when clinicians evaluate filmed evaluations of persons with swallowing disorders. To address this concern, investigators have developed two protocols - one which measures the transit of food or liquid from the mouth to the esophagus at 17 landmarks and one which measures the same transit but at 5 landmarks. The current study examines the accuracy of two groups of student clinicians as they applied the 5-landmark protocol to a videofluoroscopic evaluation of a problematic swallow after a brief period of training. Data currently are being analyzed. If data show a statistically significant (p<0.05) ) relationship between the measures documented by the two groups of students, results will suggest that students with little clinical experience are able to learn and accurately apply the 5-landmark protocol. Further, this 5-landmark protocol will be a useful teaching tool in the preparation of students for clinical practice and to facilitate increased inter-rater reliability in swallowing evaluations.

First place winner of poster presentations in the Social Science section at the 12th Annual Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Forum (URCAF) held at the Rhatigan Student Center , Wichita State University, April 3, 2012