An Occupational Therapy Program for Patients With Swallowing Dysfunction Following Cancer Treatment

Eating, the intimate activity of daily living, carries with it many emotional, social and physical implications. Medical treatment of patients with cancers of the head and neck is frequently radical and almost certainly impacts on the patient's ability to eat. This paper outlines an occupational therapy program for patients with swallowing dysfunction following treatment for cancers of the head and neck. Discussed in this paper are the medical treatments particular to cancer treatment that directly affect swallowing function, along with evaluation and treatment by the occupational therapist. The paper concludes with a case study.