“Self-management has to be the way of the future”: Exploring the perspectives of speech-language pathologists who work with people with aphasia

Nichol, Leana; Rodriguez, Amy D.; Pitt, Rachelle; Wallace, Sarah; Hill, Anne J.

doi:10.1080/17549507.2022.2055144

Cited by 5 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 47 publications

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“…Unfortunately, social restrictions during Covid-19 significantly limited social interactions prompting people to search online for opportunities to socialise. The use of technology may support PwA to gain independence in their daily lives, increase social networks, facilitate self-management (Kelly et al, 2016), and provide peer-support for PwA (Nichol et al, 2022). Video conferencing platforms facilitate non-verbal interactions such as gesture and facial expression to communicate more effectively (Cruice et al, 2020;Caute et al, 2022).…”

Section: The Covid-19 Pandemicmentioning

confidence: 99%

“You’ll find most people who got involved with the Café couldn’t do without it now” – Socialising in an online versus in-person Aphasia Café

Bell,

Horgan,

Kelly

2024

ACS

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BACKGROUND: People with Aphasia (PwA) experience detrimental consequences post-stroke which can result in limited opportunities for social engagement and poor psychosocial ramifications. Peer support can improve psychosocial outcomes. Unfortunately, Covid-19 related social restrictions resulted in the closure of social outlets for PwA, further exacerbating social isolation. Some social networks transitioned online during this period. One such network was the Aphasia Café, a social group for PwA, supported by Speech and Language Therapy students (SLTS). OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the experiences, knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about the Aphasia Café (in-person and online), within the context of pandemic-related social restrictions, from the perspectives of PwA and the SLTS who support them. METHODS: 16 SLTS participated in one of five focus groups. Six PwA were individually interviewed. Semi-structured questionnaires facilitated inductive and deductive data collection which were analysed using Framework Analysis. RESULTS: Observed themes related to the in-person and online Aphasia Café will be reported in this paper. Overarching themes observed from both SLTS and PwA include: ‘Socialising changes during Covid-19 pandemic’, ‘Awareness and Purpose of the Aphasia Café’, ‘Perceptions of an Online and In-Person Aphasia Café” (subthemes –accessibility, technology, time/timing, non-verbal communication, and social environment), and ‘Optimal Aphasia Café’ (PwA only). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides a unique perspective on the delivery of a supported informal conversation group from both PwA and the SLTS who facilitate it. Both online and in-person social spaces were considered to enhance the quality of life for PwA and give valuable experience for SLTS.

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