Communication partner training for healthcare workers engaging with people with aphasia: Enacting Sustainable Development Goal 17 in Austria, Egypt, Greece, India and Serbia

Abstract

Purpose: This commentary describes how a grassroot-led partnership initiated by members of the organisations World Federation of NeuroRehabilitation and Collaboration of Aphasia Trialists is addressing the marginalisation of people with aphasia, through education and knowledge exchange related to communication partner training of health professionals.Result: A partnership between academics and healthcare professionals across Austria,

Understanding experiences, unmet needs and priorities related to post-stroke aphasia care: stage one of an experience-based co-design project

“… 50 Indeed, prior research has shown that communicating with a trained communication partner can increase social participation and reduce risk of emotional distress for PWA. 51 The second element relating somewhat to ‘physical comfort’ 38 49 is for hospital environments to be safe, stimulating and engaging for PWA (see below).…”

“… 48 Internationally, training of healthcare providers in supported conversation techniques 54 and aphasia awareness 55 has been recommended as best practice. 54 56 The standardisation and implementation of communication partner training for all healthcare providers, 51 flexible service delivery options and improved communication between staff (to support greater consistency in care) may help to ensure awareness of effective communication strategies that reduce risk and optimise access to timely care.…”

“…Limitations in health provider–patient communication could be addressed through implementation of existing supported communication partner training programmes, which have been shown to be effective. 51 This could also improve access to mental health services; however, more immediate impacts could be returned through implementation of speech pathology-led stepped psychological care. 61 62 Access to training in supported communication with PWA has been developed for a variety of cultural contexts, often with input from speech pathologists, PWA, SOs and neurologists.…”

“… 61 62 Access to training in supported communication with PWA has been developed for a variety of cultural contexts, often with input from speech pathologists, PWA, SOs and neurologists. 51 The implementation of small, low-cost options like the systematic use of communication boards, suitable mobile music listening devices, 63 peer befriending models 60 or hospital-based volunteers able to support participation in everyday activities (eg, walks outside) warrants investigation.…”

Invaluable Benefits of 10 Years of the International Collaboration of Aphasia Trialists (CATs)

“…Together with the CATs Chair and Deputy Chair, the 14 working group (Deputy) Leads and 6 Officers form the Executive Committee, which have been meeting quarterly over the past 10 years, bearing testament to members’ commitment for enhancing aphasia research quality and the careers of ESRs/JSRs in aphasia rehabilitation. Projects developed collaboratively, with participation of ESRs/JSRs, secured external funding of the equivalent of >10 million US$ to date and CATs collaborations have inspired >50 peer-reviewed publications, including in general medicine/stroke journals (see References 7–55 , and the 2023 CATs report [https://www.aphasiatrials.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/10-year-report-for-CATs-final-10th-Oct-2023.pdf]). The latest testimony to the success of the collaboration is that CATs is the recipient of the international Robin Tavistock Award 2023 (https://aphasiatavistocktrust.org/robin-tavistock-award/).…”