Master in Swallowing Disorders
The evolution from a postgraduate to a master's degree
In 2016, a collaboration was created between the Fundació Salut Consorci Sanitari del Maresme, the European Society for Swallowing Disorders (ESSD) and the Autonomous University of Barcelona, to offer a multidisciplinary university postgraduate to enrich the academic-clinical knowledge of Swallowing Disorders aimed at all the health specialties that are involved in these pathologies, from an international and multidisciplinary point of view. It is for this reason that it has international teachers and teachers from different disciplines.
During the 2016-2017, 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 editions, the Postgraduate Diploma in Swallowing Disorders / Postgraduate Diploma on Swallowing Disorders (PGD) was carried out, a diploma of its own type (within the legislation of the UAB) and 57 ECTS.
In the 2019-2020 edition, it was extended to its own Master’s degree, with 66 ECTS, adding a Final Master’s Thesis (TFM) that introduces the student to clinical research in this field. And giving the option to graduates of previous PGD courses to obtain a Master’s degree by completing the TFM. Since the beginning of the Master, the option of taking the PGD is still valid, and it is a postgraduate degree of 51 ECTS.
The content is reviewed and updated annually to maintain quality teaching according to the needs of the moment.
Expand your knowledge
With the aim of training and expanding the knowledge of health professionals from all over the world, this initial Postgraduate Diploma, of 57 ECTS, began for the first time in September 2016.
This is how it remained for 3 editions, with professionals from all over it being part of it.
This Postgraduate course continues as an academic option together with a Master in Swallowing Disorders from 66ECTS that aims to expand the educational offer with research through a Master’s Final Project.
This course is presented with new features in the curriculum, updated with two new topics:
- Dysphagia in COVID-19
- Dysphagia in children with cerebral palsy
International participation
The Postgraduate program with 57 ECTS in its first 3 editions had a total of 50 students from 9 different nationalities, of which 20 were doctors and 28 speech therapists.
Since the extension to the Master in 2019, participation in both courses has been increasing, with professionals from different disciplines (doctors, speech therapists, nutritionists, dentists, pharmacists, physiotherapists) and from different countries, with a total of 22 Master students and Postgraduate 11.
The plurality of disciplines and countries aims to offer students a broad and professional vision of the diagnosis and treatment of swallowing disorders, being able to share experiences and cooperate.
