Exploring speech-language pathologists' perspectives about living successfully with aphasia

Abstract

Background: Exploring the concept of living successfully with aphasia challenges researchers and clinicians to identify positive rather than negative adaptive processes and factors that may inform clinical interventions and other community-based services for people with aphasia. Previous research on this topic has focused on the perspectives of individuals with aphasia, and identified a number of core components of living successfully with aphasia, including doing things, meaningful relationships, striving for a positive way of living, and communication. As service providers, speech-language pathologists may also contribute valuable insights regarding components of living successfully with aphasia and factors influencing individuals' abilities to achieve this goal. Aims: This research aimed to explore speech-language pathologists' perspectives about the meaning of living successfully with aphasia, and factors they perceive to influence individuals' abilities to live successfully with aphasia. Methods & Procedures: Twenty-five speech-language pathologists from around Australia participated in semi-structured in-depth interviews on the topic of living successfully with aphasia. All interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis to identify themes of relevance. Outcomes & Results: Through the analysis of speech-language pathologist participant transcripts, the following themes emerged as components of living successfully with aphasia: participation and community engagement; communication; meaningful relationships; autonomy or independence; acceptance and embracement of aphasia; self-esteem; happiness; and purpose or meaningfulness. A wide variety of factors were perceived to influence individuals' abilities to live successfully with aphasia. These included support, acceptance, and understanding; personal factors; and speech-language pathology services. Conclusions & Implications: Further research is required to extend findings by investigating how speech-language pathologists address identified themes in clinical practice. To improve service provision, continued reflection by speech-language pathologists on how services provided align with client's values and priorities is a necessity. A commitment by speech-language pathologists to work in partnership with people with aphasia and their families and friends to achieve successful living with aphasia is one way to translate this research into practice. © 2010 Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists.