Considerations for Specialty Education in Voice and Upper Airway Disorders

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this article was to describe the development and contributions of a voice and upper airway disorders (VUAD) grassroots committee of experts toward defining core features of a VUAD-focused clinical fellowship (CF). This group grew over 3 years to include more than 35 clinical experts representing multiple VUAD clinic sites across varied regions of the United States. This group proposed entry- and exit-level knowledge and skills and expectations for successful VUAD CF training outcomes at the 2021 American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Convention. In addition, this group formulated resources and educational support networks for VUAD CF trainees and their supervisors. Future work by this group will define the criteria by which VUAD CFs will be included as part of clinical expertise experiences evaluated by the VUAD board. Conclusions: A collaborative group of grassroots experts in VUAD defined core entry- and exit-level expectations for clinical competency upon completion of a VUAD CF. Future research and efforts by this group will further characterize the current VUAD CF settings, populations served, and ranges of assessment and treatment services provided. Pilot programs were conducted offering educational and supervisory resources with positive outcomes that endorse the need for these critical mechanisms for supporting VUAD trainees and colleagues.