TIMS University Webinar

Remote Reach: Virtual Videofluoroscopy (VFSS) for Smarter Education of Staff and Students using TIMS Connect

November 9, 2026 at 8:00 PM EST | 0.1 ASHA CEUS / 1 PDHS

Course Instructors

Emily Barrett Reg. CASLPO S-LP (C)

Emily Barrett is a speech-language pathologist at an acute care hospital with experience in both FEES and VFSS. Emily also works a clinical research coordinator and is a member of the Swallowing Rehabilitation Research Lab led by Dr. Catriona Steele. Emily’s current interests are in the area of research translation into evidence-based practice.

Disclosures

Financial: Salary from University Health Network

Non-financial: Developer of ASPEKT & ASPEKT-C Methods

Melanie Peladeau-Pigeon, M.H.Sc., P.Eng.

Melanie completed her master’s degree in clinical engineering at the University of Toronto. Melanie currently works as an engineer and Clinical Research Manager at the Swallowing Rehabilitation Research Laboratory (KITE, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network). She has been supporting dysphagia research since she graduated. She has been involved in a number of multi-site clinical trials and has a special interest in the technical components as it relates to supporting best practice recommendations, research data collection and analyses.

Disclosures

Financial: Salary from University Health Network

Non-financial: Developer of ASPEKT & ASPEKT-C Methods

Presentation Author

Catriona M. Steele

Catriona M. Steele is a clinician scientist working in the area of swallowing and swallowing disorders. She has a background as a medical speech-language pathologist, and is Director of the Swallowing Rehabilitation Research Laboratory at the KITE Research Institute, the research arm of the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute – University Health Network. Dr. Steele is a Professor in the Department of Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Toronto and holds a Canada Research Chair in Swallowing and Food Oral Processing. Professor Steele holds research funding from the National Institutes of Health (USA) as well as several active industry partnerships. Her current research focuses on the measurement of swallowing physiology from videofluoroscopy in different participant groups and across different swallowing tasks using the ASPEKT Method (Analysis of Swallowing Physiology: Events, Kinematics and Timing).

Catriona was a founding member of the Board of Directors for the International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative and served on their board from 2012-2023. Catriona served as the 2024-2025 President of the Dysphagia Research Society and was inducted as a Fellow of the ESSD in 2024.

 

Disclosures

Financial:

  • Salary from University Health Network

  • Canada Reseach Chairs secretariat

  • Current grant funding:

    • National Institute of Aging (USA); Benitec Biopharma Ltd.

  • In-kind support:

    • TIMS Connect licenses

  • Educational Product royalties:

    • Medbridge; Northern Speech Services

  • Consultancies/Prior Industry Funding:

    • Nestlé Health Science; Bracco Diagnostics; Bioblast

Non-financial:

Developer of ASPEKT & ASPEKT-C Methods

International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative [IDDSI] (2012-2023)

Dysphagia Research Society (2021-2025)

Description

Videofluoroscopy (VFSS), one of two instrumental ‘gold standard’ swallowing assessments, can be pivotal in a patient’s journey. Unfortunately, access is limited across many hospitals. This not only impacts patients, but limits student and clinician opportunities for training and competency development, resulting in variable entry-level knowledge. This presentation will examine past literature and share current experience from one hospital on trying to solve these challenges using TIMS Connect.


Learning Outcomes

  1. Describe contributions to the history of virtual VFSS and simulation training in the field.

  2. Explain the educational benefits of virtual videofluorscopy for staff and student training.

  3. Evaluate the impact the virtual training on competency development.

Agenda

8:00 - 8:05 | Introductions

8:05 - 8:10 | Poll Everywhere Interactive Activity

8:10 - 8:20 | Current state of VFSS Access for Education and Related Challenges

8:20 - 8:25 | Standing on the Shoulders of Giants: Past Literature

8:25 - 8:35 | What did we do? Methods

8:35 - 8:45 | What was the impact? Results

8:45 - 8:50 | Limitations, Pearls & Pitfalls, Next Steps

8:50 - 9:00 | Q&A

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Satisfactory Course Completion Requirements

To successfully complete the course, participants must attend the entire live event and submit the post-course survey.

Course Disclosure
Please note: This webinar will discuss the use of the product, TIMS Connect.

Course Information