Training students in effective communication strategies via telehealth

Not Applicable

• Conditions: Stroke - Ischaemic; Physical Medicine / Rehabilitation - Speech therapy; stroke; aphasia; Stroke - Haemorrhagic

• Registration Number: ACTRN12616000130460
• Lead Sponsor: Emma Finch

Brief Summary

The aim of the study was to explore the impact of a conversation with a person with aphasia via telepractice as part of a Communication Partner Training (CPT) program on speech pathology students. A two-parallel-arm randomised trial design with quantitative and qualitative measures was used. Thirty-three speech pathology students attended a lecture about strategies to communicate effectively with people with aphasia, then participated in a 10-minute conversation via videoconferencing with a person with aphasia one week later. Students were randomly allocated to patient feedback or no patient feedback conditions. Students completed a custom-designed questionnaire pre and post conversation. Statistically significant increases were found in students’ self-rated confidence communicating with people with aphasia, proficiency at engaging in everyday conversation, and proficiency with obtaining a case history post conversation. There was no significant difference between the groups according to feedback condition. Minimal change occurred in communication strategy recall. Student reflections indicated that they found the conversations a positive but challenging experience.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Results First Posted: 1900-01-01
• Study Start: 2016-02-04
• Study Completion: 2016-12-30
• Last Update Posted: 13 January 2020

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: Stopped early
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 40

Inclusion Criteria

Students (Intervention and control groups): Students who are in the second or third year of study in the speech pathology program and are currently attending lectures about aphasia at The University of Queensland.

People with aphasia: diagnosed with aphasia by a speech pathologist prior to their inclusion in the study with no other neurological or developmental conditions.

Exclusion Criteria

Students (Intervention and control groups): inadequate English skills to consent and participate in the program; history of neurological conditions.

People with aphasia: inadequate English skills to consent and participate in the program; history of other neurological or developmental conditions

Study & Design

• Study Type: Interventional
• Study Design: Not specified

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in confidence when communicating with people with aphasia using a customised 100mm visual analogue scale[Immediately before receiving the training and then immediately after the training.];Change in knowledge about effective strategies for communicating with people with aphasia (in the form of an open-ended content question)[Immediately before receiving the training and then immediately after the training.]