AAC in inpatient rehabilitation (Gormley & Light, 2019)

Purpose: To guide the development of future trainings in the inpatient rehabilitation setting, this study aimed to expand the current understanding of (a) the experiences of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) who work in inpatient rehabilitation settings when providing augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) services to individuals with complex communication needs and (b) the challenges and facilitating factors related to AAC services within this context.Method: An online focus group was used to explore experiences of 11 SLPs who work within the inpatient rehabilitation setting. Information was gathered about (a) the role of the inpatient SLP in AAC service delivery, (b) rehabilitation team service delivery, (c) successes and challenges to supporting individuals with complex communication needs within this setting, and (d) communication training opportunities.Results: Themes that emerged related to (a) the complicated logistics of rehabilitation; (b) the centrality of the rehabilitation team; (c) the limited AAC tools, knowledge, and trainings for rehabilitation providers; and (d) SLPs’ attitudes. Participants reported navigating complicated logistics unique to the inpatient rehabilitation related to time constraints, limited AAC funding, the continuum of rehabilitation care, and limited AAC policies in attempting to meet patient needs. Generally, participants suggested successful team collaboration, yet limited time, expertise, tools, and training opportunities challenged attempts to support individuals with complex communication needs.Conclusions: Increased access to AAC tools and the development of AAC trainings are recommended to equip rehabilitation professionals with skills to build interprofessional and AAC skills so patients with complex communication needs can maximally participate in the rehabilitation experience.Supplemental Material S1. Interview guide: weekly discussion topics. Supplemental Material S2. Definitions of coding themes. Supplemental Material S3. Summary of themes and the distribution of thought units across themes and participants.Gormley, J., & Light, J. (2019). Providing services to individuals with complex communication needs in the inpatient rehabilitation setting: The experiences and perspectives of speech-language pathologists. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 28, 456–468. https://doi.org/10.1044/2018_AJSLP-18-0076

目的：旨在引导未来住院康复环境中的培训发展，本研究旨在拓展对以下方面的当前理解：(a) 在为具有复杂沟通需求个体提供辅助和替代沟通（AAC）服务时，住院康复环境中的言语语言病理学家（SLPs）的工作经验；(b) 在此背景下，AAC服务所面临的挑战和促进因素。方法：通过在线焦点小组，探讨了11位在住院康复环境中工作的SLPs的经验。收集了有关以下方面的信息：(a) 住院SLP在AAC服务提供中的作用；(b) 康复团队的服务提供；(c) 在此环境中支持具有复杂沟通需求个体的成功与挑战；(d) 沟通培训机会。结果：浮现的主题与以下方面相关：(a) 康复的复杂物流；(b) 康复团队的核心地位；(c) 康复提供者可用的AAC工具、知识和培训的局限性；(d) SLPs的态度。参与者报告了在尝试满足患者需求时，必须应对与住院康复相关的复杂物流，包括时间限制、有限的AAC资金、康复护理的连续性和有限的AAC政策。一般来说，参与者建议成功的团队合作，但有限的时间、专业知识、工具和培训机会挑战了支持具有复杂沟通需求个体的尝试。结论：建议增加AAC工具的获取和开发AAC培训，以装备康复专业人员构建跨学科和AAC技能，使具有复杂沟通需求的患者能够最大限度地参与康复体验。补充材料S1：访谈指南：每周讨论主题。补充材料S2：编码主题的定义。补充材料S3：主题总结及思想单元在主题和参与者间的分布。Gormley, J., & Light, J. (2019). 在住院康复环境中为具有复杂沟通需求个体提供服务：言语语言病理学家的经验和观点。美国言语语言病理学杂志，28，456–468. https://doi.org/10.1044/2018_AJSLP-18-0076