This August we received the exciting news that the Rotary Foundation has extended their support of our collaboration with the University of Puthisastra (UP) for another two years.
Mentorship Program participants with supervising therapists
The Rotary grant will include a new one-year Dysphagia Mentorship Program, designed and managed by the SSTC team in Cambodia. This is a vital step in the growth and sustainability of our dysphagia programs. This innovative program will enhance the skills and knowledge of a small group of Cambodian clinicians who have completed the UP “Foundations of Adult Dysphagia Management” course.
The program builds clinicians’ expertise in practice-based clinical supervision, including providing direct support, feedback, learning plans, and assessing clinical competencies for trainees. In addition to developing competencies in dysphagia mentorship, these trainees will broaden their own skills in the evaluation and management of dysphagia.
Running from October 5, 2024, to October 3, 2025, the program offers 47 hours of intensive training, blending theoretical knowledge with practical mentorship.
Participants will engage in a variety of learning activities, including:
- theoretical workshops,
- hands-on supervision of trainees during dysphagia practicums,
- one-on-one coaching sessions with supervising therapists, and
- facilitating workshops for new trainees.
Graduates of the Mentorship Program will be prepared to supervise and support new trainees from the UP course. Over time, this ‘train the trainer’ approach will enable Cambodian clinicians to assume the dysphagia training and supervision responsibilities currently provided by Rotary volunteer SLPs.
Upon successful completion of the program, participants will receive a certificate from SSTC, recognizing their enhanced expertise in dysphagia management and clinical mentorship.