DIGEST^TM  Training Course

• Conference Brochure
• Conference Agenda
• Conference Speakers/Committee
• Speaker Disclosure Statements
• Required Materials to bring to conference

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center has implemented a process whereby everyone who is in a position to control the content of an educational activity must disclose all relevant financial relationships with any commercial interest that could potentially affect the information presented.

MD Anderson also requires that all faculty disclose any unlabeled use or investigational use (not yet approved for any purpose) of pharmaceutical and medical device products. Specific disclosure will be made to the participants prior to the educational activity.

Agendas are subject to change because we are always striving to improve the quality of your educational experience. MD Anderson may substitute faculty with comparable expertise on rare occasions necessitated by illness, scheduling conflicts, and so forth.

Please let us know what specific topics, issues or questions you wish to see addressed or emphasized in this activity. Fax CME/Conference Management at 713-794-1724 or email register@mdanderson.org.  All responses will be forwarded to the Program Chair for consideration.

GOAL

The goal of this course is to develop clinical competency to use the DIGEST™ methodology to grade  the results of videofluoroscopy. The training course offers review of the DIGEST™ method, including
how to use the DIGEST™ criteria flowsheet and grading forms as well as how to integrate DIGEST™ results into clinical decision making for oropharyngeal dysphagia management.  Participants will have ample opportunity to learn and test DIGEST™ rating skills via demonstrations of videofluoroscopy rating, pre- and post-tests applying DIGEST™ rules, and independent rating with opportunity for Q&A.  Participants should be able to independently apply DIGEST™ methodology to grade routine videofluoroscopy cases after completion of the course.

After attending the course, the participant should be able to:

• Conduct the videofluoroscopic swallow study according to a standard protocol necessary to obtain a valid DIGEST™ grade.
• Apply the DIGEST™ criteria to reliably derive a DIGEST™ grade and safety/efficiency profile from videofluoroscopy.
• Describe how DIGEST™ relates to other measures of swallowing function.
• Use the DIGEST™ methodology as a diagnostic tool in dysphagia therapy planning.

EDUCATIONAL METHODS

The format for this course includes 6.5 hours of instruction on Day 1 including the development of DIGEST™, videofluoroscopy protocol/acquisition considerations, and use of standard DIGEST™ forms and flowsheets, followed by clear video examples of safety and efficiency grading, and live demonstration of DIGEST™ rating across various dysphagia severities (none, mild, moderate, severe, profound). Day 2 includes 4-hours of practice rating with MD Anderson staff to provide mentorship and answer questions.

This presentation will focus exclusively on training participants to use the DIGEST™ methodology and will not include information about how to implement other similar or related methodology.

POST-COURSE RESEARCH SESSION
Special considerations for implementation of DIGEST™ as a Research Tool

This optional two hour small-group session will provide a limited number of participants the opportunity to discuss special considerations for the implementation of DIGEST™ as a research tool.  Topics will include research-specific data forms, databases, laboratory training and reliability checks.  There are no CEU credits offered for this portion of the program.

EVALUATION

A course evaluation survey will provide participants the opportunity to comment on the value of the program content to their analysis skills and practice decisions.  Course evaluations will also consider the implications for quality improvement in clinical practice and possible impact on patient outcomes.  Participants will also have the opportunity to comment on any perceived commercial bias in the presentation as well as to identify future educational topics.

To measure DIGEST™ knowledge and skills, the course will begin with a brief pre-test to assess learning as evidenced by comparison to scores on a post-test at completion of the course.  A passing score on the post-test is not required for course completion. Course completion will be assessed by attendance of both days.  

Important Announcement

MD Anderson Cancer Center is closely following the impact of COVID-19 on global populations and travel.  At this time, out of an abundance of caution, we regret to inform you the symposium is postponed.   Your health and safety, and that of our patients and employees, is our highest priority.

Registration opens at 7:00 am on Friday, April 24, 2020 at Robert C. Hickey Auditorium, Floor 11, R. Lee Clark Clinic, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.  The program will begin on Friday, April 24, 2020 at 8:00 am and conference adjourns on Saturday  at 12:45 pm. 

If you are attending the Post-Course Research Session on Saturday, April 25, 2020 at 2:30 p.m. will adjourn at 4:00 p.m.

Advanced registration is encouraged as space and materials are limited. Please see the registration form for applicable fees.

The conference registration fee includes tuition, breakfasts, breaks, lunches, and the welcome reception.

Registration Fees:

Speech Pathologists and other Healthcare Professionals

• Postmarked before March 25, 2020 .....................$425
• Postmarked after March 25, 2020 ........................$475
  
  

MD Anderson Affiliates and Staff

• Postmarked before March 25, 2020 .....................$375
  
• Postmarked after March 25, 2020 ........................$425
  
  

Group Rate for 3 or more (Registrations forms will have to be faxed)

• Postmarked before March 25, 2020 .....................$375
• Postmarked after March 25, 2020 ........................$425
  
  

Post-Course Research Session*

• Postmarked before April 21, 2020 ........................$100

The registration fee, minus a $50 administrative handling fee, is refundable if a written request is received on or before Tuesday, April 21, 2020. No refunds will be granted after that date.  The request for a registration refund must include the tax identification number of the company or institution if registration was paid by a company or institution check.

The Department of CME/Conference Management reserves the right to cancel activities prior to the scheduled date, if low enrollment or other circumstances make it necessary.  Each registrant will be notified by mail, email, or at the phone or fax numbers given on the registration form.

ACCOMMODATIONS

• A block of rooms has been reserved for conference attendees at the Houston Marriott Medical Center located at 6580 Fannin Street, Houston, Texas.
• Early hotel reservation is suggested and the room block cutoff date is: Wednesday, April 1, 2020.
• The hotel phone number is 713-796-0080 and toll free number is 1-800-228-9290
• When you make reservations, be sure to mention the group name: DIGEST^TM Training Course  room block to be assured of receiving the special meeting rate of $119 for a standard guest room. Please add 17% Texas state and local taxes.

GROUND TRANSPORTATION

Houston is served by two airports, George Bush Intercontinental (IAH) and William P. Hobby (HOU). The following forms of ground transportation are available to and from the airports to the Medical Center.

Taxis: estimated fare; $55 - $65 USD (one way) Hobby/Medical Center
Taxis: estimated fare: $65 - 80 USD (one way) Houston IAH/Medical Center

Yellow Cab Company (713) 236-1111

United Cab Company (713) 699-0000

Lyft - (Bush IAH)
Lyft - (Hobby Airport)

Uber - (Bush IAH)
Uber - (Hobby Airport)

Texas Medical Center, Houston, Texas

Parking is available in Garage 10, which is located on the east side of the Clark Clinic, for $13 per day.  There are EasyPay Stations on the first, second and third floors, instead of a cashier.  The EasyPay Station is a self-serve payment station and will take cash or credit cards. You feed your ticket into the machine, it tells you how much you owe, you then pay that amount and the machine returns your "paid" ticket.  Take the "paid" ticket to the exit gate and feed it into a machine there to raise the gate and exit the garage.

Take the crosswalk on level 3 of Garage 10 into MD Anderson.  The first set of elevators on your left (next to the guard station) can be used to access floor 11. As you exit the elevator on floor 11, you will be at the back of the auditorium.  Turn to your left to follow the hallway to the registration desk and the front of the auditorium. 

Click here for a map.

*Parking fees are not reimbursable. 

Driving Directions

Houston Visitor Information

Photographing, audio taping and video taping are prohibited.

Contact the Department of CME/Conference Management at 713-792-2223 or toll free at 866-849-5866 if you have any special dietary or ADA accommodation needs.