Craniofacial and Trauma Rehabilitation —
Training activity: 10

Details

Work with specialist Speech and Language Therapists and the Maxillofacial Surgeon in the manufacture of specialist devices to include speech bulbs/palatal lift devices and nasal obturators (hyper nasal speech)

Plan, design and manufacture a specialist device

Type

Developmental training activity (DTA)

Evidence requirements

Evidence the activity has been undertaken by the trainee​.

Reflection on the activity at one or more time points after the event including learning from the activity and/or areas of the trainees practice for development.

An action plan to implement learning and/or to address skills or knowledge gaps identified.

Reflective practice guidance

The guidance below is provided to support reflection at different time points, providing you with questions to aid you to reflect for this training activity. They are provided for guidance and should not be considered as a mandatory checklist. Trainees should not be expected to provide answers to each of the guidance questions listed.

Before action

• What is the importance of interprofessional collaboration in this context?
• What is your current understanding of speech and swallowing difficulties related to maxillofacial defects and the role of these specialist devices?
• What do you hope to learn about the collaborative process with other healthcare professionals, the specific design and manufacturing considerations for these devices, and their impact on improving speech and function?
• Have you discussed the principles of speech bulb, palatal lift, and nasal obturator design with your training officer and relevant specialists?
• Have you reviewed any relevant case studies or guidelines related to these devices?
• What communication strategies will you use to ensure effective collaboration with the Speech and Language Therapist and surgeon?
• What are the challenges when manufacturing these devices?

In action

• As you collaborate, how are you integrating the input from the Speech and Language Therapist and the Surgeon into the device design and manufacture?
• What specific challenges are arising due to the unique functional requirements of these devices?
• How are you and the team problem-solving?
• How is this influencing your actions?
• Are you gaining a better understanding of the speech and swallowing mechanisms as you work on these devices?

On action

• Describe the collaboration process with the Speech and Language Therapists and the Maxillofacial Surgeon. What were the specific requirements and design considerations for the speech bulb/palatal lift device and/or nasal obturator?
• What did you learn about the role of these specialist devices in addressing hypernasal speech? What were the key design features and fitting considerations to achieve the desired speech outcomes? How did the multidisciplinary collaboration contribute to the successful manufacture of the device(s)?
• How will you approach future collaborations with Speech and Language Therapists and Surgeons in similar cases? What specific knowledge or skills related to the design and manufacture of these specialist speech devices do you need to develop?

Beyond action

• Revisiting this collaborative experience, how did it further your understanding of practicing in partnership with other clinical specialisms?
• How did observing the roles of the Speech and Language Therapist and Maxillofacial Surgeon inform your understanding of the multidisciplinary approach to patient care?
• How might this experience of manufacturing specialist speech devices contribute to your future ability to address complex functional needs of patients?

Relevant learning outcomes

#	Outcome
# 1	Outcome Deliver quality patient centred care with the best interests of patients in all elements of practice.
# 2	Outcome Practice in accordance with local and national health and safety policies, regulatory requirements and overall service governance.
# 3	Outcome Communicate effectively with patients, relatives, healthcare professionals and other stakeholders.
# 4	Outcome Apply the principals of a quality management system to their professional practice.
# 5	Outcome Practice in partnership with other clinical specialisms as part of a multidisciplinary team and understand their roles and their impact on patient care and pathway.
# 6	Outcome Perform clinical investigations, formulate treatment plans and manufacture medical devices to a safe clinical standard.
# 8	Outcome Select appropriate biomedical materials and components used in the treatment of patients and the manufacture of custom-made medical devices.
# 9	Outcome Assess and interpret patients’ needs to provide customised treatment dependent on medical, physical, social and psychological requirements.