A Quasi-Experimental Study of an Online Communication Partner Training Program for Orthoptic Students

Current clinical practice guidelines recommend communication partner training (CPT) for healthcare professionals to maximise effective communication when providing care to clients with an acquired brain injury (ABI) from stroke and traumatic brain injury. Orthoptists are eye care professionals who work with people with ABI who often have concurrent communication and visual impairments. However, CPT studies often do not include orthoptists, and training programs seldom explicitly address the intersection of vision and challenges to common supportive communication strategies. This study evaluated the impact on knowledge and confidence, acceptability, appropriateness and feasibility of a self-paced, online CPT program (interact-ABI-lity) for orthoptic students from the perspective of students and qualified orthoptists. It also explored ways of embedding content on visual impairment into student learning programs.

An explanatory, sequential mixed-methods quasi-experimental study was conducted. Participants were qualified orthoptists (n = 13) and orthoptic students (n = 37) who enrolled in the interact-ABI-lity program. They completed quantitative pre- and post-intervention confidence and knowledge questionnaires, and qualitative feedback was collected through semi-structured focus groups following CPT. Non-parametric tests (Mann-Whitney U test and the related-samples Wilcoxon signed rank test) were used to analyse the confidence and knowledge scores, and qualitative data were examined using content analysis.

After completing interact-ABI-lity, orthoptic students showed a significant increase in confidence (n = 37 pre, 24 post; p < 0.001) and knowledge (p < 0.001) about communicating with people with ABI. Almost all participants (96.1%) rated the program 'very useful' or 'extremely useful'. Across nine focus groups, orthoptic students (n = 17), qualified orthoptists (n = 6) and orthoptic educators (n = 5) reported that the program developed valuable knowledge and skills for clinical practice, particularly for entry-level professionals with limited exposure to ABI. Practical experience through interdisciplinary workshops and clinical placements were identified as valuable for enhancing theoretical learning from the program and supporting application to clinical practice.

The interact-ABI-lity program was found to be feasible, appropriate and acceptable for orthoptic students, providing positive direction for enhancing knowledge and skills to support person-centred care in ABI. The importance of hands-on practice was emphasised, and suggestions such as role-play and interdisciplinary learning were identified for consideration.

What is already known on this subject Communication partner training (CPT) for healthcare professionals is essential when providing care to clients with acquired brain injury (ABI) to maximise effective communication. However, CPT studies often do not include orthoptists (eye care professionals who work with people with ABI) and seldom address the importance of vision on common supportive communication strategies. What this study adds to existing knowledge The online, self-guided CPT program interact-ABI-lity, was found to be feasible, appropriate and acceptable for developing knowledge and skills in supportive communication for orthoptic students. Providing opportunities to practice supportive communication strategies learnt through online CPT with interdisciplinary simulated learning and work-integrated learning may further facilitate the development of clinical competencies. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work? Interact-ABI-lity is a valuable CPT program for healthcare professionals and students who have limited exposure providing care to clients with ABI to improve their supportive communication skills. The addition of information on visual impairment to CPT programs like interact-ABI-lity may be valuable to health professionals who need to adapt supportive communication strategies when working with clients with concurrent visual and communication impairments.