Assessment and rehabilitation of acquired communication disorders in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults with stroke or traumatic brain injury: a retrospective chart review

Abstract

Purpose

Speech-language pathologists’ (SLP) management practices for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults with acquired communication disorder (ACD), following stroke or traumatic brain injury (TBI), are not well understood. This study explores SLPs’ management approaches for ACDs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults post-stroke or TBI.

Materials and methods

SLPs’ documented notes were analysed from a two-year retrospective medical record review of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults (≥18 years), admitted to a regional Queensland hospital with principal diagnoses of stroke or TBI.

Results

SLPs frequently used informal approaches to assess ACDs. English-language formal assessment tools were also used in conjunction with the informal approaches. ACD diagnosis was more common in stroke than TBI patients. One-third of patients with ACD received inpatient rehabilitation at the study site. SLPs infrequently documented cultural or linguistic adaptions to assessment or interventions.

Conclusions

Informal approaches to assess ACDs were commonly employed which may be because they are perceived to be more culturally appropriate. Clinical guidelines for stroke and TBI should accommodate the diversity of cultures and languages. Better consideration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communication styles and incorporation of these into SLP ACD management approaches may facilitate accurate diagnosis and culturally safe rehabilitation services.

Implications for Rehabilitation

• Informal approaches for assessment and intervention of ACDs, that incorporate yarning and salient tasks, are likely to be more culturally appropriate and safe for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

• More flexibility and guidance in the use of culturally and linguistically appropriate alternative assessment approaches are required in the National stroke guidelines for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

• The adoption of enhanced models of culturally secure ACD service provision, that incorporate frequent SLP engagement with an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander support person during assessment and rehabilitation, are needed.

• There is an imperative for health professionals to actively account for culture and language difference in rehabilitation practices to ensure Indigenous peoples worldwide receive equitable and culturally-responsive services.

Keywords:

• Aphasia
• stroke
• acquired brain injury
• Aboriginal
• communication
• speech-language pathology
• rehabilitation

Correction Statement

This article has been corrected with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Acknowledgements

The authors sincerely acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land upon which this research was conducted and we pay our respects to their Elders, past and present. The authors also acknowledge the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients whose data contributed to this study. The authors also thank the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Leadership Advisory Council for their collaborations and support of this research.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).