Meet Smruthi

Smruthi’s internship focus and aims

As part of the internship, I’ll be completing training on qualitative research methods and PPI, while using 1:1 supervision to map out my future as a clinical-academic. A central output of the internship will be a scoping review examining factors that influence SLTs’ decision-making in post-stroke dysphagia and how these shape current decision-making practice. My research interests focus on post-stroke dysphagia (swallowing difficulties); a common condition linked to serious adverse outcomes and often managed through nil-by-mouth recommendations or long-term dietary modifications. There is still wide variation in how risk associated with swallowing is assessed and managed. I’m eager to explore how clinicians manage these risks in real-time and how decisions around return to oral intake are made. I’m most looking forward to collaborating with the stroke community through PPI discussions, gaining new research skills through training and working independently on my research project (hopefully first of many!)