No abstract

Some research suggests that people with aphasia may have deficits in processing pictorial materials; other studies suggest this is contradictory. Moreover, it is not known how these potential deficits compare to deficits in graphemic processing. The purpose of this study was to examine pictorial processing in individuals with fluent aphasia, and how it compares to their graphemic processing. Three people with fluent aphasia were administered three computer based expectation tasks. Participants were required to determine if the final stimulus in a sequence of four was congruent or incongruent with the preceding three stimuli. Two tasks were administered, one using simple object pictures, and the other using pictorial action scenes. A corresponding graphemic condition was also administered that was composed of category words. The dependant variables analyzed were percent correct and reaction time. Overall, the participants performed more accurately on both pictorial conditions as compared to the graphemic condition. Contrasting reaction time and accuracy patterns are noted for each type of fluent aphasia represented in the study. It is necessary to investigate the pictographic competency of each individual with aphasia to determine relative strengths and weaknesses. It appears that in some people with aphasia, language is not the only modality to suffer damage following a stroke. Investigation of therapeutic uses for pictographs and other nonverbal materials may provide an opportunity to reduce frustration associated with other modalities such as reading, writing, and verbal comprehension in people with fluent aphasia.

Speech–language pathologists often lack preparation for palliative care practice and this lack of training can lead to poor outcomes for patients. Lack of training can additionally lead to burnout and compassion fatigue in clinicians. Careful implementation of training is necessary to increase the knowledge base for palliative practice and careful attention must also be paid to the emotional component of end-of-life care. The history and current practice of palliative care education across health care disciplines are examined. Finally, a pilot study evaluating a course module on palliative and end-of-life care for speech–language pathologist graduate students is presented. Results from the pilot indicate that students improved both their knowledge and comfort related to issues of end-of-life care topics. In addition, students responded positively to the opportunity to learn about the topic and the instructional strategies used within the course module.

Purpose: Given the impact of COVID-19 on patients and the overall effects of COVID-era precautions on medical systems, the typical practice of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) has no doubt been impacted. The purpose of this study was to investigate practice patterns, experiences, and changes in referrals to medically based SLPs since the onset of COVID-19. The collective aim is to illuminate the unique perspectives and experiences of medically based SLPs during the COVID-19 era. Method: A national Qualtrics survey was conducted to capture the experiences and perspectives of SLPs in medical settings within the United States both before and since the onset of the pandemic. A total of 208 participants responded to the survey, and a mixed-methods design was implemented to examine responses regarding changes in patient populations, experiences with COVID-19 precautions, and overall impression of practice and patient impacts. Results: Results indicate SLPs in medical settings have seen a significant self-reported shift in referral patterns since the onset of COVID-19. Results of qualitative analyses revealed clinician perspectives regarding impacts to their settings in regard to COVID-19 precautions; patient flow; patient characteristics; and the mental health of staff, families, and patients. Conclusions: Overall, the impacts to SLPs' typical practice in medical systems appears to be pervasively negative and deeply interwoven from the clinician perspective. The relationships between changes in the medical systems as a whole during the pandemic era and patient population, acuity, and outcomes have created difficult practice conditions for practitioners in medical settings from the clinician vantage point.

Most deaths now occur in medical or skilled nursing settings. This brings speech-language pathologists, and other professionals, in close contact with clients who face death. While it can feel uncomfortable, speech-language pathologists are in a position to influence this phase of their client's quality-of-life life by addressing death and end of life wishes. This can be a goal of therapy.