TY - JOUR
T1 - Speech-language pathology practices with Indigenous Australians with acquired communication disorders
AU - Hersh, Deborah
AU - Armstrong, Elizabeth
AU - Panak, Vanessa
AU - Coombes, Jacqui
PY - 2015
Y1 - 2015
N2 - Purpose. Little is known about the needs of Indigenous Australian adults with acquired communication disorders (ACD) following stroke or brain injury and how these needs are met by speech-language pathology (SLP) services. In order for the profession to respond to the challenges of providing culturally appropriate, well-tailored and accessible services, more information on current practice and SLPs' concerns and attitudes is required. Method. This paper reports on a national survey with completed responses from 112 SLPs, who worked with adult neurological populations, about their levels of contact with Indigenous clients, cultural competency training and potential sources of support. Result. Of the total respondents, 63 SLPs reported clinical contact with Indigenous clients and they also answered questions on their assessment, intervention and discharge practices; liaison with family; and involvement with Aboriginal Health Professionals and interpreters. This group reported insufficient knowledge about Indigenous culture, lack of support and lower levels of confidence overall in working with these clients as compared to non-Indigenous clients. They wanted more flexible services for their Indigenous clients, good access to interpreters and culturally appropriate assessments and treatments delivered in culturally appropriate settings. Conclusion. This research provides a useful starting point towards understanding SLPs' perspectives and practice at a national level.
AB - Purpose. Little is known about the needs of Indigenous Australian adults with acquired communication disorders (ACD) following stroke or brain injury and how these needs are met by speech-language pathology (SLP) services. In order for the profession to respond to the challenges of providing culturally appropriate, well-tailored and accessible services, more information on current practice and SLPs' concerns and attitudes is required. Method. This paper reports on a national survey with completed responses from 112 SLPs, who worked with adult neurological populations, about their levels of contact with Indigenous clients, cultural competency training and potential sources of support. Result. Of the total respondents, 63 SLPs reported clinical contact with Indigenous clients and they also answered questions on their assessment, intervention and discharge practices; liaison with family; and involvement with Aboriginal Health Professionals and interpreters. This group reported insufficient knowledge about Indigenous culture, lack of support and lower levels of confidence overall in working with these clients as compared to non-Indigenous clients. They wanted more flexible services for their Indigenous clients, good access to interpreters and culturally appropriate assessments and treatments delivered in culturally appropriate settings. Conclusion. This research provides a useful starting point towards understanding SLPs' perspectives and practice at a national level.
KW - Brain injury and stroke
KW - Indigenous Australians
KW - Speech-language pathology
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84921325831&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3109/17549507.2014.923510
DO - 10.3109/17549507.2014.923510
M3 - Article
VL - 17
SP - 74
EP - 85
JO - Advances in Speech Language Pathology
JF - Advances in Speech Language Pathology
SN - 1441-7049
IS - 1
ER -