title: The role of speech-language pathology and audiology in the optimal management of the service member returning from Iraq or Afghanistan with a blast-related head injury: position of the Communication Sciences and Disorders Clinical Trials Research Group.
abstract: This position paper, prepared by the Communication Sciences and Disorders Clinical Trails Research Group, describes communication and swallowing disorders associated with blast injuries and delineates the roles of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and audiologists in the management of these deficits. Recovery of individuals with mild, moderate, or severe swallowing, speech, hearing, and cognitive-communication impairments is best facilitated by a team of multidisciplinary specialists including SLPs and audiologists. Speech-language pathologists and audiologists have the knowledge and skills to evaluate, treat, and research swallowing, speech, hearing, and cognitive-communication functions, and they should have a primary role in determining the clinical management of, research agenda for, and public health policies regarding individuals with blast-related head injuries from the time of injury to their return to maximized life participation and quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Communication and Brain Injury Consortium (CBIC) of the Communication Sciences and Disorders Clinical Trials Research Group (CSDRG), Evanston, IL 60201, USA.
authors.forename: Leora R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Cherney
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gardner
authors.forename: Jeri A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Logemann
authors.forename: Lisa A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Newman
authors.forename: Therese
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: O'Neil-Pirozzi
authors.forename: Carole R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Roth
authors.forename: Nancy Pearl
authors.initials: NP
authors.lastname: Solomon
mesh_terms: D055826:Afghan Campaign 2001-; D001298:Audiology; D001753:Blast Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003147:Communication Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D054542:Iraq War, 2003-2011; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D024382:Professional Role; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013070:Speech Therapy; D013066:Speech-Language Pathology / Q000592:standards*; D017749:Total Quality Management; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States