Acute post-stroke aphasia management: An implementation science study protocol using a behavioural approach to...

Area of Science:

• Implementation Science
• Speech-Language Pathology
• Neurology
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Evidence-practice gaps persist in aphasia management post-stroke, particularly in acute care settings.
• Speech pathologists face challenges implementing evidence-based practice, impacting individuals with aphasia and their families.
• Approximately 30% of stroke survivors develop aphasia, highlighting the need for effective interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To detail a study protocol for a behavioral intervention to promote the uptake of synthesized evidence in acute aphasia management.
• To address evidence-practice gaps by implementing a collaborative, theory-informed approach.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods before-and-after study design will be employed, guided by the Knowledge-to-Action (KTA) framework.
• Collaboration among researchers, speech pathologists, and individuals with lived experience of aphasia will inform practice gap identification and intervention development.
• The Theoretical Domains Framework and Behaviour Change Wheel will underpin the development of clinical practice changes.

Main Results:

• This study protocol details an implementation science approach to affect clinical practice change.
• It highlights the importance of stakeholder collaboration in identifying and prioritizing evidence-practice gaps.
• The protocol provides a framework for improving the use of aphasia evidence in routine practice.

Conclusions:

• This study offers a template for acute stroke services to utilize implementation science for evidence-based aphasia care.
• Collaborative efforts ensure that practice gap identification and interventions are contextually relevant and theory-driven.
• The protocol aims to facilitate the replication of service improvement strategies across different settings.