Aphasia is an acquired disorder, most commonly from stroke but also from neurodegenerative disease, that affects an individual’s ability to express and/or comprehend verbal and written language. Disproportionate effects on healthcare outcomes have been noted from aphasia as compared to other stroke-related disabilities likely due to aphasic patients’ impaired abilities to comprehend treatment plans or communicate medical concerns. Healthcare providers should be equipped with skills needed to effectively diagnose and treat this vulnerable population.
Communication partner training (CPT) is an evidence-based approach for teaching strategies that facilitate conversational exchange with people with aphasia (PWA). Interprofessional CPT for future healthcare professionals aligns with the quintuple aim for inducing widespread healthcare change for PWA to improve outcomes. This talk will describe the components of an interprofessional training for future healthcare providers designed to improve communication with aphasic patients.
The intervention components and research methods were based on a pilot study that demonstrated positive changes in learners’ knowledge and behaviors. Based on these results, the training methodology was refined to increase efficiency while maintaining effectiveness. The intervention, which included learners from three disciplines (physician assistant, physical therapy and occupational therapy), consisted of three parts. First, students completed an online learning course that included testimonials from PWA, education about symptoms of aphasia followed by facilitative communication strategies, and scenarios contrasting effective versus ineffective interactions between PWA and healthcare providers using (or not using) conversational strategies. Process-based assessments reinforced content in each module. Next, a trained speech-language pathologist provided feedback for each interprofessional learner on his/her use of conversational strategies during a filmed interaction with a PWA. Learners submitted a brief response reflecting on the feedback. Lastly, IPE learners attended one meeting of an existing community support group for PWA, which provided opportunities for in-person conversations.
Outcome measures, collected pre and post training, included a standardized survey for assessing knowledge about aphasia and conversational strategies, two evidence-based behavioral measures evaluating learners’ videotaped interactions with PWA rated by coders blinded to timepoint, and a new aphasia-friendly tool to assess PWA’s perceptions of the learner’s conversational skills. Findings to date demonstrated statistically significant differences between pre- and post-intervention scores on the knowledge assessment and the aphasia-friendly survey. Behavioral measures of videotaped interactions are currently being coded, but results will be presented in the talk.
This intervention, designed specifically for interprofessional learners, has the potential to promote positive changes in healthcare access in South Texas.
In support of improving patient care, this activity is planned and implemented by The National Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education Office of Interprofessional Continuing Professional Development (National Center OICPD). The National Center OICPD is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
As a Jointly Accredited Provider, the National Center is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. The National Center maintains responsibility for this course. Social workers completing this course receive continuing education credits.
The National Center OICPD (JA#: 4008105) is approved by the Board of Certification, Inc. to provide continuing education to Athletic Trainers (ATs).
This activity was planned by and for the healthcare team, and learners will receive Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) credit for learning and change.
Physicians: The National Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education designates this live activity for AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with their participation.
Physician Assistants: The American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) accepts credit from organizations accredited by the ACCME.
Nurses: Participants will be awarded contact hours of credit for attendance at this workshop.
Nurse Practitioners: The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Program (AANPCP) accepts credit from organizations accredited by the ACCME and ANCC.
Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians: This activity is approved for contact hours.
Athletic Trainers: This program is eligible for Category A hours/CEUs. ATs should claim only those hours actually spent in the educational program.
Social Workers: As a Jointly Accredited Organization, the National Center is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. The National Center maintains responsibility for this course. Social workers completing this course receive continuing education credits.
IPCE: This activity was planned by and for the healthcare team, and learners will receive Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) credits for learning and change.
Learners can claim CE credit by completing the Daily Evaluation.
