A pilot study on how speech-language pathologists include social participation in aphasia rehabilitation. Issue 10 (2nd October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Laliberté, Marie-Philippe; Alary Gauvreau, Christine; Le Dorze, Guylaine
• Is Part Of: Aphasiology. Volume 30:Issue 10(2016)
• Page Start: 1117
• Page End: 1133
• Publication Date: 2016-10-02
• Subjects: social participation -- aphasia -- speech-language therapy -- speech-language pathology -- rehabilitation; Aphasia -- Periodicals; Aphasia; 616.8552
• DOI: 10.1080/02687038.2015.1100708
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0268-7038

Abstract

Abstract : Background : People with aphasia have trouble achieving satisfying social participation. Despite recommendations to include social participation in rehabilitation, it is unknown how speech-language pathologists (SLPs) integrate it in their practice. Aim : The goal was to explore factors that influenced how SLPs included social participation in rehabilitation of people with aphasia. Methods and procedures : A group interview was conducted with three SLPs working in a rehabilitation centre of Quebec, Canada. The transcript of the interview was analysed using qualitative content analysis. Outcomes and results : Participants described their practice as mainly based on assessing and reducing language impairment. Social participation was perceived as the underlying, implicit goal of speech-language therapy. Participants tried to integrate non-traditional strategies and principles to foster patients' social participation in a more explicit manner, but reported being limited by numerous social and organisational factors. Conclusions : In the setting studied, speech-language therapy practice appeared to be anchored in a traditional medical model. Changes in healthcare organisation and university curricula seem necessary for SLP practice to follow a social participation-based model. On a personal level, it seemed SLPs also needed to develop the motivation for transforming their practice.