Profession-specific training on decision-making and capacity assessment in aphasia for speech-language therapy students

Figures & data

Table 1. Results from pre- and post-training questionnaire. The number in the bracket (e.g., Q6) maps to the question on the questionnaire.

	Pre-training			Post-training			Statistical Analysis
	Mean	Median	SD	Mean	Median	SD	Z	p
Students’ knowledge of the MCA, factors affecting DMC assessment
Current level of knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act (Q6)	3	3	1.1	5.23	5	0.71	−5.49	0
Knowledge of MCA principles (Q7)	0.28	0	0.56	4.49	5	0.76	−5.53	0
Professionals involved in a DMC assessment (Q8)	9 (23%) Unsure, Most common = SLTs 34 (87%), doctors 28 (72%) and psychologists 19 (49%)			Most common = SLTs 39 (100%), patient’s family 38 (97%), doctors 37 (95%), and social workers 32 (82%)
Current level of knowledge of SLT’s role within a DMC assessment (Q9)	3.33	3	0.89	5.41	5	0.64	−5.36	0
Awareness of conditions/situations affecting DMC assessments (Q11)	Yes = 15 (38%), No = 4 (10%), Unsure = 20 (51%)			Yes = 37 (95%), Unsure = 2 (5%)
Knowledge of resources used to support a DMC assessment for a person with aphasia (Q12a)	Yes = 9 (23%), No = 17 (44%), Unsure = 13(33%)			Yes = 39 (100%)
Students’ accuracy and confidence in assessing DMC for people with aphasia
DMC assessment based on the video clips (Q2)	Yes = 6 (15%), No = 2 (5%), Unsure = 31 (79%)			Yes = 36 (92%), Unsure = 3 (8%)
Confidence judging individual’s DMC (Q4)	3.21	3	1.19	5.31	5	0.89	−5.11	0
Confidence assessing people with aphasia’s DMC (Q5)	2.74	3	1.08	4.67	5	0.84	−5.15	0
Confidence using resources to support a DMC assessment for people with aphasia (Q12b)	2.56	2	1.55	5	5	0.76	−5.04	0
Students’ confidence to train multidisciplinary team members regarding SLT’s role in DMC assessments
Confidence training other members of a multidisciplinary team about SLT role (Q10)	1.92	2	0.98	4.49	5	0.82	−5.5	0
Feedback regarding the training session	Mean, SD	Median	Range
Overall quality rating of training session	6.03, 0.71	6	5–7	Where 5 = good, 6 = very good, 7 = extremely good
Perceived likelihood of using the resources, knowledge and techniques to support conversation for people with aphasia in future practice	6.18, 0.75	6	4–7	Where 4 = unsure, 5 = likely, 6 = very likely, 7 = extremely likely
Perceived likelihood of using the knowledge, resources and techniques to support DMC assessments for people with aphasia in future practice	5.94, 0.80	6	4–7	Where 4 = unsure, 5 = likely, 6 = very likely, 7 = extremely likely

Table 2. Themes from the qualitative feedback from the training session.

Positive comments about the training session
	Example comments from the participants
Conduction of the training session	Led in a very professional and knowledgeable manner It was very enjoyable, interactive and useful It was excellent, interactive, and motivating. I feel more valued than I have at any point in my degree Brilliant training, clear presentation Extremely helpful and delivered at the right pace – superb!!! Really liked the way the presenters tested our knowledge regularly- this helped with retaining the knowledge Very professional, well organised, interactive and engaging, appropriate length of session
Content of the training session	It was informative and knowledgeable training PowerPoint was informative, relevant and simple Enjoyed learning about the Mental Capacity Act Incredibly informative, well thought-out, presented, and planned Right amount of information. Loved relating to personal experiences of placement Pitched terminology at the right level– not too high or patronising
Use of video clips	Loved the information interspersed with video clips to enhance its client-centred nature Videos were really useful. Very varied (different style of learning, e.g., group work and videos) Good use of videos to demonstrate Really liked the YouTube clips – made it realistic
Including physical resources/assessments in the training session	Best part – many resources present. I enjoyed the interactive parts of the session and having an opportunity to use the resources Useful to see actual assessments/resources and have a go at using these Excellent resources, practical session improved understanding. Very varied (different style of learning, e.g., group work and videos) I really enjoyed the section where we tried out the resources and felt this was important in helping to understand what the resources are and how they are used Ability to work through the manuals and techniques during the second part of the session. Good group rotations to see different resources Best part was being directed to resources that will be extremely useful on placement and being able to try them out to get a feel of the pros and cons of each one.
Usefulness of the training session	Overall, really useful training Really useful for placement and future jobs Really useful – helpful that it had an SLT focus as previous training I have attended regarding MCA has been very general
Points for improvement
Further guidance for using resources during practical application session	More guidance on how to use the resources during the group time/presenters could come around and guide us through Additional support with activities, i.e., explain how you’d use them (understand time and man power restraints) Could be improved by observing a role-play of going through one of the resources to see how clinicians would use it. Didn’t understand all tasks in one of the resources
Content of the training session	Could encourage more discussion about our experiences More training on SLT role in decision-making – especially what to do if you disagree with consultants, etc. Sometimes information was brief and not as deeply explained as would have liked to be able to train others