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Role of the speech-language pathologist: augmentative and alternative communication for acute care patients with
Margaret T Vento-Wilson1, Anthony McGuire, Jennifer A Ostergren
1Margaret T. Vento-Wilson, MA, CCC-SLP, is a speech-language pathologist working with elementary-school-aged children in Southern California. Her published research and presentations involve motor speech disorders, AAC practices of speech language pathology assistants, and the use of augmentative and alternative communication in the acute care setting. Anthony McGuire, PhD, RN, ACNP-BC, CCRN, is an acute-care nurse practitioner with 30 years of critical care experience. He is currently an academic biobehavioral nurse scientist. Jennifer A. Ostergren, PhD, CCC-SLP, cites her areas of expertise as neurologic speech language and cognitive disorders, augmentative and alternative communication, and professional practice issues.
Background:
Severe communication deficits occur frequently in acute care. Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) may improve patient-nurse communication, yet it remains underutilized.
Objective:
The objective of this study was to assess the impact of training student nurses (SNs) in acute and critical care on the use of AAC with regard to confidence levels and likelihood of implementation of AAC by SNs in acute care.
Methods:
Training in AAC techniques was provided to SNs. A pretraining and posttraining assessment was completed along with follow-up surveys conducted after the SNs had an opportunity to use AAC.
Results:
A 6-fold increase in confidence (P < .01) was reported by the SNs after AAC training, as was an approximately 3-fold increase in likelihood of use (P < .01). The reliable yes/no was the most reported AAC technique (34.7% of the students).
Discussion:
Providing SNs with AAC tools accompanied by brief training increases their confidence in the use of AAC and the likelihood that they will use them. Inclusion of AAC education in nursing curricula and nursing orientations could be an important step in risk reduction among patients with severe communication disorders. Further study is needed of the relationship between training student nurses in the use of AAC as a way to change practice and improve communication outcomes.
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