The effects of an interprofessional patient-centered communication intervention for patients with communication disorders.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: This small scale study examined the influence of an interprofessional (IP) evidence based patient-centered communication intervention (PCCI), delivered by trained nurses in collaboration with Speech Language Pathologists, on patient outcomes in an active stroke rehabilitation setting.

DESIGN AND

METHODS

The setting constraints imposed the use of a single-group pretest and post-test design to determine the influence of the intervention on patient outcomes. Validated tools measured patient quality of life (QOL), depressive symptoms and satisfaction with care.

RESULTS

Patients (n=34) showed improvement in all outcomes from pretest to post-test, including quality of life, geriatric depressive symptoms, and satisfaction with care.

IMPLICATIONS: The findings indicate that a comprehensive person-centered communication intervention has the potential to enhance patient outcomes at discharge. Challenges to implementing and evaluating evidence-based interventions in practice are highlighted.