Dennis C. Tanner

This anatomy and physiology workbook, now in its second edition, is a unique study guide for introductory courses and textbooks in speech and hearing anatomy and physiology. Whether taught face to face or online, anatomy and physiology courses are dense in content and new material, and a practical book is much needed for undergraduate training in speech pathology. Recognizing this, the authors, all experienced practitioners as well as instructors, have produced such a text, ensuring also that it does not suffer from being unnecessarily complex and academic. The Workbook is organized into seven units. The first unit contains a comprehensive synopsis of anatomy and physiology, including content such as locator terms, planes of reference and anatomical position, enabling students to learn the vocabulary needed to study anatomy and physiology. The second unit takes a brief look at the basics of cells and tissues to form a foundation for study of larger structures. The remainder of the Workbook organizes speech and hearing anatomy into the functional categories of respiration, phonation, articulation, as well as the nervous and auditory systems.The organization of this study-guide workbook complements the content of most speech and hearing anatomy textbooks currently on the market, as well as online courses. Each unit provides an extremely well written, practical summary of the particular speech and hearing system (unit), followed by learning objectives, specific questions students can answer in outline format, and finally a Self-Test. Unique study guide for introductory courses. Designed as a primary text or to work with extant textbooks and online courses. Features summaries of learning units, learning objectives, questions and Self-Tests. Practical questions and organization of this workbook will guide students through their learning of anatomy and physiology. For the second edition, the authors have added an Active Learning Guide for enhanced student comprehension. The Active Learning Guide contains information to help students respond to items in the Workbook. This section includes suggested responses to blank spaces sketch boxes in the Study Outline units. These new features help students assimilate and master the basics of anatomy and physiology of speech and hearing.The use of multiple sources and repeated exposure reinforces learning and will lead students to the ultimate goal: practical application of the material.

Drawing on his experiences as an Expert Witness in numerous medico-legal cases, Dennis Tanner provides an overview of dysphagia and reviews issues that may lead to malpractice litigation. The first part of the book he provides a general overview of the anatomy, physiology, and neurology of sucking, chewing, and swallowing. The three stages of swallowing are detailed including objectives, methods, and procedures of evaluation and treatment. In the second part, he addresses the primary issues in dysphagia malpractice litigation including professional proficiency in dysphagia management, professional communication, the clinical bedside assessment and instrumental swallowing studies, and diet and feeding considerations. Part III comprises a review of dysphagia malpractice litigation issues and the role of the expert witness, and the concluding part provides a comprehensive analysis of five dysphagia malpractice cases and reviews the issues from the plaintiff and defense positions. All five dysphagia cases involve the deaths of the dysphagic patients. FROM THE AUTHOR I have been involved in many legal cases during my thirty-year career in communication sciences and disorders.Although I have served, in some capacity, as an expert witness in cases involving voice disorders, stuttering, birth defects, and other communication disorders, the majority of the litigation concerned dysphagia. With few exceptions, the dysphagia cases involved the deaths of the patients allegedly from choking or aspiration pneumonia. In most of these dysphagia malpractice cases, the plaintiff retained me. These cases involved a lengthy period of forensic investigation, sometimes taking years, and most were settled before going to trial. In all dysphagia cases that were settled out-of-court, I was not apprised of the specific settlement terms. However, the decisions often involved large awards to the plaintiffs from insurance companies representing medical facilities and health care professionals. In every case, my resume and other credentials were made available to all parties involved in the litigation. My credibility in serving as an expert witness comes from my academic credentials, teaching experience and awards, and scholarship in the profession of communication sciences and disorders.Perhaps the most valuable contribution to my credibility as an expert witness is my extensive clinical experience supervising employees and consultants in dysphagia malpractice management or in my direct clinical provision of dysphagia services.This was done through my company, Tanner Rehabilitation Services, Inc. , over a twenty-five-year period in which I was involved in the management of hundreds of dysphagia patients at several medical facilities. What you will read in this volume is an overview of swallowing and dysphagia technical information that I consider important and were relevant to many cases of dysphagia malpractice litigation in which I was involved. While there are many books on swallowing and its disorders, and approaches to managing dysphagia, what is provided herein is based on a litigation perspective. While each legal case involving dysphagia management is unique, several issues usually surfaced as pivotal ones and are also discussed. There are also five case studies with analysis of their implications for dysphagia management practices.They are included for illustration purposes and to show the processes and outcomes of actual dysphagia malpractice litigation cases. I understand and appreciate that dysphagia malpractice litigation is a controversial and hotly-contested topic.Some clinicians believe it is an unnecessary intrusion into a health care professional's provision of services by lawyers and the judicial system.Others believe that dysphagia malpractice litigation prevents unnecessary negative outcomes, results in a higher quality of service for all dysphagia patients, and provides just compensation and damages for dysphagia patients and their families who were victims of improper medical management of the disorder. I personally believe the latter while I respect the views of people holding the former opinion. However, the legal system provides for resolution of malpractice litigation based on the rule of law and the opinions of expert witnesses.

The Family Guide to Surviving Stroke and Communication Disorders, Second Edition is a comprehensive guide for families of stroke survivors, speech pathologists and rehabilitation specialists, and counselors who respond to the needs of stroke survivors and their families. Through non-technical terms, case studies, questions and answers, and examples, this book engages all readers on a journey toward understanding, healing, and persevering after a stroke.