Intersection of Knowledge to Practice: A Purposeful Integration of Communication Partner Training in Aphasia With Adult Learning Principles for Healthcare Students

Background: Communication partner training (CPT) for people with aphasia (PWA) is an evidence-based approach that supports patients’ abilities to effectively communicate with their healthcare providers. Efforts to create efficient training programmes, which aim to instil appropriate practices and attitudes prior to working with patients, have the potential to induce widespread change in communication access in healthcare settings. Aims: The current study examined the effectiveness of a novel, scalable CPT programme for healthcare students based on andragogical principles. Methods and Procedures: Fifteen of 18 allied healthcare students completed training that included (1) a three-part online module consisting of testimonials from individuals with aphasia, didactic content regarding principles of CPT and communication strategies, and discipline-specific healthcare scenarios with and without communication support; (2) individualised feedback and self-reflection regarding ways to improve interaction skills; and (3) an opportunity to practice facilitative conversation skills during a psychosocial aphasia group meeting. The research design enabled within-group comparisons of students’ knowledge, attitudes, and skills pre- and post-completion of the multi-component training and between-group comparisons of interaction skills with online versus no training. Outcomes and Results: Multi-component training resulted in meaningful changes in knowledge, attitudes, and skills as observed by effect sizes. The group comparison between those who completed online training versus controls demonstrated statistically significant improvements in facilitative skills, specifically verifying the intended message of the PWA and use of gesture. Conclusions and Implications: Findings suggest that online CPT that capitalises on learning theories and principles for healthcare education is effective and efficient for training supportive techniques in communication with people with aphasia. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: What is already known on this subject Communication partner training (CPT) can equip future healthcare providers with tools to more effectively communicate with patients with aphasia. Studies have shown such training to be effective for improving knowledge and attitudes in healthcare students, although research to date has yet to demonstrate changes in the actual adoption of facilitative conversation skills. What does this paper add to existing knowledge This study replicates and extends previous research regarding CPT for healthcare students by demonstrating that online training based on adult learning principles is an effective and efficient tool for training knowledge, attitudes, and skills that facilitate communication with individuals with aphasia. In addition, findings indicate the importance of designing training materials that illustrate facilitative conversation skills in discipline-specific contexts. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work? This study provides a foundation for scaling CPT programming in healthcare education. Widespread adoption of such programming will have a direct impact on healthcare access in individuals with aphasia.