141st APHA Annual Meeting

In This section

290607
What matters to people after stroke? using an innovative communication framework to involve people with aphasia in interviews about stroke rehabilitation

Sunday, November 3, 2013

Thilo Kroll, PhD , School of Nursing & Midwifery / Social Dimensions of Health Institute, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
Jacqui Morris, PhD , School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
Helen Moore, PhD , School of Nursing and Midwifery/Social Dimensions of Health Institute, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
Frederike van Wijk, PhD , Institute for Applied Health Research and School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, United Kingdom
Lisa Salisbury, PhD , University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
James Law, PhD , Institute of Health and Society, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, United Kingdom
John Dennis , NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
Background: People with severe communication impairments are rarely recognized as participants in their own right in rehabilitation research or in quality assurance in service development. Including their views is critical to gain a comprehensive understanding of their support needs and the development of equitable services. Aim: to explore the viewpoints of people with aphasia after stroke to inform community rehabilitation practice.

Method: Participants with communicative impairment currently engaged in community stroke rehabilitation were recruited. This study used Talking Mats TM, an innovative communication framework and speech therapy support tool which represents topics for discussion pictorially, as symbols which can be placed along a visual scale on a mat. Talking Mats were used to adapt the format of interviews previously conducted with a larger group of stroke patients (n=30) to elicit information and ensure participation of those with communication impairments. Interviews were videotaped and content analysed to explore what was important to participants in their lives and ways in which therapists had measured how participants were getting on with rehabilitation.

Results: Six participants (4 males, mean age 62, range 32-75), engaged in interviews using Talking Mats TM. The method was successful in facilitating discussion about relevant life domains. Participation as defined by the WHO ICF was important to all participants. Particularly, participation in interpersonal relationships and domestic life were key domains of importance for participants. Talking Mats also facilitated discussion of outcome measurement with participants.

Conclusion: Talking Mats enabled people with communication impairments to engage with research underpinning stroke rehabilitation practice.

Learning Areas:
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
Identify the viewpoints of people with aphasia about outcome measurement and what matters to them after stroke. Adapt research formats to promote participation of people with communication impairments in qualitative interviews.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: 20 years of disability-related health research; PhD in Psychology; PI in research study presented
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.