The Communication Partner Scheme: A project to develop long‐term, low‐cost access to conversation for people living with aphasia

McVicker, Sally; Parr, Susie; Pound, Carole; Duchan, Judith Felson

doi:10.1080/02687030701688783

Cited by 60 publications

(55 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…The psychosocial consequences of aphasia are reduced as positive conversation R. Mc opportunities are increased (Byng & Duchan, 2005). Trained conversation partners reveal the competence of the person with aphasia (Kagan, 1995;Kagan et al, 2001) and social interaction is prioritised above linguistic gains (Kagan et al, 2008;McVicker et al, 2009). …”

Section: Conversation Training Approachesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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“Who decides what criteria are important to consider in exploring the outcomes of conversation approaches? A participatory health research study”

2015

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BackgroundOne of the most devastating consequences of aphasia is the disruption to normal conversation. The Conversation Partner Programme emphasises communicative competence and life participation. Currently there is no recognised system for evaluating this intervention. Following policy imperatives for patient and public involvement, it is important to include service users in the development of evaluation criteria. However, people with aphasia are often excluded from such research and service development initiatives because of their communication disability. This study was designed to include people with aphasia and other key stakeholders as co-researchers in the development of evaluation criteria for a Conversation Partner Programme. AimsTo describe the multi-perspectival co-generation of Conversation Partner Programme evaluation criteria using a participatory research approach. Methods & ProceduresFollowing a pilot study, the generation and analysis of qualitative data involved a Participatory Learning and Action (PLA) approach based on the interpretive paradigm. Using purposeful sampling participants (n = 20) included: people with aphasia (n = 5); speech and language therapists (n = 5); speech and language therapy graduates and undergraduates (n = 9) and university coordinator (n = 1). Through (n = 18) individual and interstakeholder data generation episodes (PLA focus groups and interviews) using participatory techniques (Flexible Brainstorming, Card Sort, Direct Ranking, Seasonal Calendar), evaluation criteria were identified. The R. Mc Menamin et al. 2015principles of thematic analysis guided the co-analysis of data with participants. Data generated in Ireland were presented to an international inter-stakeholder group at Connect, UK, for preliminary exploration of transferability of findings. Outcomes & ResultsConversation Partner Programme evaluation criteria agreed and prioritised by co-researchers in order of importance included: (1) shared understanding of structure, (2) clarity about the programme, (3) agreed evaluation mechanism, (4) linking with other organisations, and (5) feedback. "Shared Understanding of Structure" was ranked the most important criterion and related to the nature and number of participants, opportunities for group meetings, socialising, and stakeholder interaction."Feedback", the criterion ranked least important, detailed responsibilities about summarising programme experiences and sharing this information between stakeholders. ConclusionsPeople with aphasia and other key stakeholders were meaningfully involved in the identification of evaluation criteria for a Conversation Partner Programme. The outcomes of this collaborative work bridge the gap between policy imperatives around involvement and actual practice and will impact the design, delivery, and evaluation of the programme for all stakeholders. Findings will be of interest to professionals in this clinical area and to those exploring innovative methodologies to include marginalised service users, especially pe...

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Section: Conversation Training Approachesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…(2) volunteers (Kagan, Black, Duchan, Simmons-Mackie, & Square, 2001; McVicker, Parr, Pound, & Duchan, 2009;Rayner & Marshall, 2003) and (3) healthcare professionals (e.g., Shale, 2004). The psychosocial consequences of aphasia are reduced as positive conversation R. Mc opportunities are increased (Byng & Duchan, 2005).…”

Section: Conversation Training Approachesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“Who decides what criteria are important to consider in exploring the outcomes of conversation approaches? A participatory health research study”

2015

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“…In this study, the volunteers were invited to e-mail the SLP about any issues they wished to discuss. In other studies, routine, structured feedback was requested from volunteers to support them and monitor activity (McVicker 2009). Such an approach to feedback and support resonates with the structured approach to patient visits which volunteers appreciated and could therefore be considered as a way to support and monitor the activity of volunteers supporting computer therapy in the future.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Volunteers also have a part to play. For example, Worrall et al (2000) involved volunteers in the delivery of a ten week functional communication therapy programme and there has also been a growth of volunteer involvement in 'conversation partner' schemes, which provide people with aphasia the opportunity to engage in conversation within their own homes (McVicker et al 2009).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Volunteer involvement in the support of self-managed computerised aphasia treatment: The volunteer perspective

Palmer

Enderby

2015

International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology

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Purpose: The speech-language pathology profession has explored a number of approaches to support efficient delivery of interventions for people with stroke-induced aphasia. This study aimed to explore the role of volunteers in supporting self-managed practice of computerised language exercises.Method: A qualitative interview study of the volunteer support role was carried out alongside a pilot randomised controlled trial of computer aphasia therapy. Patients with aphasia practised computer exercises tailored for them by a speech-language pathologist at home regularly for five months. Eight of the volunteers who supported the intervention took part in semi-structured interviews. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically.Result: Emergent themes included: training and support requirements; perception of the volunteer role; challenges facing the volunteer, in general and specifically related to supporting computer therapy exercises.Conclusion: The authors concluded that volunteers helped to motivate patients to practise their computer therapy exercises and also provided support to the carers. Training and ongoing structured support of therapy activity and conduct is required from a trained speech-language pathologist to ensure the successful involvement of volunteers supporting impairment-based computer exercises in patients' own homes.

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“…The opportunity for stroke survivors to participate in such social conversation is promoted by speech and language therapists (37) and illustrates the supportive role of art participation for this aspect of recovery (36).…”

Section: Control and Recoverymentioning

confidence: 99%

Social context, art making processes and creative output: a qualitative study exploring how psychosocial benefits of art participation during stroke rehabilitation occur

Morris

Toma

Kelly

et al. 2015

Disability and Rehabilitation

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1Social context, art making processes and creative output: A qualitative study exploring how psychosocial benefits of art participation occur during stroke rehabilitation ABSTRACT PurposeTo explore stroke survivors' and artists' beliefs about participatory visual arts programme participation during in-patient rehabilitation to identify benefits and potential mechanisms of action. MethodQualitative design using semi-structured in-depth interviews with stroke survivors (n=11) and artists (n=3).Analysis: Data was audio-recorded and transcribed. Framework approach was used to identify themes and develop conceptual schemes. ResultsThe non-medical, social context of art facilitated social interaction, provided enjoyment and distraction from stroke and re-established social identity thereby improving mood. The processes of art-making generated confidence and self-efficacy, setting and achievement of creative, communication and physical recovery goals that provided control over survivors' situation and hope for recovery. Creative output involved completion of artwork and display for viewing. This enhanced self-esteem and improved mood, providing survivors with new identities through positive appraisal of the work by others. Self-efficacy, hope and control appeared to mediate benefits. ConclusionThis study provides a model of intervention components, mechanisms of action and outcome mediators to explain how art participation may work. Findings suggest that art may influence important psychosocial outcomes that other rehabilitation approaches do not typically address. The study paves the way for a future effectiveness trial. BACKGROUND

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The Communication Partner Scheme: A project to develop long‐term, low‐cost access to conversation for people living with aphasia

Cited by 60 publications

References 17 publications

“Who decides what criteria are important to consider in exploring the outcomes of conversation approaches? A participatory health research study”

“Who decides what criteria are important to consider in exploring the outcomes of conversation approaches? A participatory health research study”

Volunteer involvement in the support of self-managed computerised aphasia treatment: The volunteer perspective

Social context, art making processes and creative output: a qualitative study exploring how psychosocial benefits of art participation during stroke rehabilitation occur

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