OBJECTIVE-To identify research priorities for increasing understanding of the pathogenesis, diagnosis and improved treatment of spasmodic dysphonia. RESULTS-Operational definitions for spasmodic dysphonia at different levels of certainty were recommended for diagnosis and recommendations made for a multi-center multidisciplinary validation study. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING- CONCLUSIONS-The highest priority is to characterize the disorder and identify risk factors that may contribute to its onset. Future research should compare and contrast spasmodic dysphonia with other forms of focal dystonia. Development of animal models is recommended to explore hypotheses related to pathogenesis. Improved understanding of the pathophysiology of SD should provide the basis for developing new treatment options and exploratory clinical trials.SIGNIFICANCE-This document should foster future research to improve the care of patients with this chronic debilitating voice and speech disorder by otolaryngology, neurology, and speech pathology.

Junior doctors need help to reflect on their experiences and to recognise where they may have made mistakes, particularly in the contexts of shift-work and fragmented teams. Formal reporting systems alone will not facilitate learning from error. Juniors require individual clinical supervision from seniors with appropriate training. Such expertise may benefit the whole team and the training environment.

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