Education

What can you find on this webpage?

Our (future) students can find the official study programme and other useful info here.

You can find information about admission requirements, further studies and more practical info such as ECTS sheets, or a weekly timetable of the current academic year.

Are you a future student?

Be sure to first take a look at the page about the Master of Deglutology.

There you can find more info on:

- What’s the programme about?

- Starting profile

- Admission and application

- Future possibilities

- Why KU Leuven

- Contact

- ...

Profile

Is this the right programme for me?

This Master’s programme is intended for candidates or professionals who currently hold a Master’s degree in medicine, dentistry, speech pathology, physiotherapy and/or occupational therapy. All other relevant health-related master’s degrees will be evaluated on individual request. 

Candidates who hold a four or five-year university bachelor’s degree in speech pathology, physiotherapy or occupational therapy with access to higher degree education, such as an honours' programme leading to a PhD, are also eligible for this Master’s programme.

All applications will be evaluated by the admission committee. International students will have to go through an administrative screening procedure of the KU Leuven Admissions Office. 

Students should show proficiency in oral and written English.

Candidates who hold a four year university bachelor's degree in speech pathology, physiotherapy or occupational therapy with an additional honours degree (one year) are also eligible for this Master's programme.

 

Admission requirements

Admission requirements Master of Deglutology

 

Objectives

The learning outcomes are based on the CanMeds-roles (clinician, communicator, collaborator, manager, health care improver, scientist, professional), more specific, at the end of the advanced master programme:

Clinician
PLO 1 The deglutologist has extended and enhanced theoretical knowledge of and insight in the (patho)physiology of oral, pharyngeal and esophageal swallow-related organs.
PLO 2 The deglutologist is able to apply this knowledge in prevention, diagnosis and treatment of dysphagia considering the latest advances in epidemiology and evidence-based medicine.
PLO 3 The deglutologist can apply the acquired knowledge and insights into primary and secondary physiological swallow-related processes to reason in a problem-solving fashion in his/her clinical practice considering the advances in epidemiology and evidence-based medicine. Primary swallow-related physiology is including neurology, gastroenterology, otolaryngology, genetics and pulmonology. Secondary swallow-related physiology includes oral hygiene, nutrition and neuropsychiatry.
PLO 4 The deglutologist has the appropriate knowledge, insight and skill to perform patient care under supervision considering sex, age, life stage and philosophical, social and cultural context and background of the patient with dysphagia.
PLO 5 In terms of diagnosis, the deglutologist knows how to perform an in-depth clinical evaluation using appropriate tools. The deglutologist is able to use FEES (flexible endoscopic evaluation swallowing), high resolution manometry impedance, videofluoroscopy and other newly developing state-of-the-art diagnostics tools.
PLO 6 The deglutologist can describe their theoretical background, has the adequate skills to use these assessment tools in patient care and is able to use these technologies to differentiate between the aetiology and symptomatology of dysphagia.
PLO 7 In a variety of clinical pathologies, the deglutologist is able to select, perform, interpret non-instrumental and instrumental diagnostic evaluations, can determine a correct diagnosis and based on this, he/she can select and apply the appropriate treatment considering the physical, psychological and social factors of the patient, across the lifespan.
PLO 8 In terms of treatment, the deglutologist collects, analyses and interprets relevant information for diagnosis, therapy and prevention of the individual patient, in accordance with current state of the art (e.g. perform a relevant patient history (anamnestic evaluation) and an adequate oropharyngeal examination).
PLO 9 The deglutologist is able to evaluate the provided patient care and is able to act upon that evaluation, considering quality of care and patient safety.
PLO 10 The deglutologist has understanding of the different clinical as well social security systems in relation to deglutition health care.

VD 1 The deglutologist is able to function in multiple context such as third world countries and special needs settings, both nationally and internationally (binding).

Communicator
PLO 11 The deglutologist is familiar with different interview techniques and knows how to use these techniques depending on the finality of the conversation.
PLO 12 The deglutologist can listen actively and communicate empathically and effectively with the patient and his / her family in a confidential and ethical (para)medic-patient relationship.
PLO 13 The deglutologist can share information and discuss alternative options with the patient and his/her relatives to reach a joint decision in the treatment plan of the patient. PLO 14 The deglutologist is able to involve other caregivers. He/she knows the capabilities of other health care providers and the various medical disciplines.
PLO 15 The deglutologist can report effectively and efficiently in writing and verbally on a patient case to colleagues and other health providers.
PLO 16 The deglutologist has the didactic and educational knowledge, insight and skills to report both verbally and in writing scientific and clinical research to colleagues and a lay audience both on a national and international platform, in an education or research related context.

Collaborator
PLO 17 The deglutologist is able to collaborate and communicate within an inter professional team of health care professionals, scientists, teaching staff, hospital management staff, health care administrators and will identify options for deglutology teaming models that are appropriate for a variety of practice settings and environments, both nationally and internationally.

Manager
PLO 18 The deglutologist can organize his/her work and plans in terms of priorities.
PLO 19 The deglutologist can record patient data, organise and exchange, using information technology and this in accordance with ethical principles and ethical and legal rules.
PLO 20 The deglutologist provides quality of care by recognising risks related to patient safety and by discussing it when appropriate. He/she follows guidelines regarding adequate patient care.
VD 2 The deglutologist takes into account the current health care system in his/her professional performance as well as the financial and economic implications of care for the society, the patient and the deglutologist (binding).

Health care improver
PLO 21 The deglutologist works consistently to improve the efficiency and safety of swallowing based on the principal biological and psychosocial aspects that can affect the health of the patient.
PLO 22 The deglutologist pays attention to patient safety and takes preventive steps regarding the individual patient (e.g. oral hygiene, oral stimulation).
PLO 23 The deglutologist promotes access to health care (especially for vulnerable groups) and is able to assist patients in the current health system.
PLO 24 The deglutologist promotes the dissemination of scientifically based medical and clinical information, is able to deliver information in a correct way, and interact with students, patients, caregivers and the broader public.

Scientist
PLO 25 The deglutologist is able to pose clinically relevant questions, perform a focused search for information and critically evaluate quality of medical sources.
PLO 26 The deglutologist can perform a clinical research project under supervision (formulating research hypothesis, choosing appropriate research methodology, collecting and analysing data and drawing correct conclusions and writing them down) with the aim to contribute to the development, distribution and / or application of scientific knowledge in the field of deglutology.
PLO 27 Based on his/her scientific research project, the deglutologist is able to write a scientific paper. PLO 28 The deglutologist has insight into the capabilities, limitations and ethical implications of experimental and clinical research methods.

Professional
PLO 29 The deglutologist practices in accordance with applicable ethical, legal, ethical and professional rules in the domain of deglutology.
PLO 30 The deglutologist can critically reflect on his/her own professional functioning in which he/she not only considers technical acts but also ethical, emotional and social implications.
PLO 31 The deglutologist can - based on feedback and critical remarks from colleagues or supervisors - reflect on as well as guide his/her own learning process in which she/he takes responsibility for their own professional growth.

VD 3 The deglutologist shows ecological awareness in his professional functioning (not-binding)

Educational quality of the study programme

Here you can find an overview of the results of the COBRA internal quality assurance method.

Educational quality at study programme level

Blueprint
Blueprint_MNM_Deglutology.pdf

COBRA 2019-2023
COBRA-fiche_MNM_Deglutology.pdf

Educational quality at university level

• Consult the documents on educational quality available at university level.

More information?

• More information on the educational quality at KU Leuven
• More information on the available documents