TY - JOUR

T1 - Meeting the patient with confidence: perceived benefits of communication partner training in subacute TBI: Evaluating changes to practice and perceived communication success after implementing Communication Partner Training in subacute rehabilitation

AU - Nielsen, Annesofie Ishøy

AU - Jensen, Lise Randrup

AU - Power, Emma

PY - 2021

Y1 - 2021

N2 - Objective: This study aims to explore health professionals{\textquoteright} perceived benefits of the implementation of Communication Partner Training (CPT) in subacute rehabilitation with patients in the Post-Traumatic Confusional State (PTCS) after moderate to severe TBI. Method: The study was conducted using a pre-post questionnaire design to explore change. One hundred and four interdisciplinary clinicians attended CPT in the SCATM-method as well as subsequent implementation support. Participants completed a questionnaire with quantitative and qualitative questions before and after the implementation period. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics and qualitative content analysis. Results: Participants{\textquoteright} perceived confidence and self-assessed ability to communicate with patients in PTCS significantly increased after CPT (p=0.006). While the participants still experienced communication as difficult, they reported using tools and strategies related to CPT in their interactions. Participants found they could apply strategies to improve patients' comprehension of information and to confirm their understanding of patients' communication. However, using strategies to enhance patients' expressive abilities was perceived as more challenging. Conclusions: Training health professionals in CPT increases their confidence in managing communication with patients in PTCS. Further research is needed to evaluate the efficacy of CPT within a stronger research design.

AB - Objective: This study aims to explore health professionals{\textquoteright} perceived benefits of the implementation of Communication Partner Training (CPT) in subacute rehabilitation with patients in the Post-Traumatic Confusional State (PTCS) after moderate to severe TBI. Method: The study was conducted using a pre-post questionnaire design to explore change. One hundred and four interdisciplinary clinicians attended CPT in the SCATM-method as well as subsequent implementation support. Participants completed a questionnaire with quantitative and qualitative questions before and after the implementation period. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics and qualitative content analysis. Results: Participants{\textquoteright} perceived confidence and self-assessed ability to communicate with patients in PTCS significantly increased after CPT (p=0.006). While the participants still experienced communication as difficult, they reported using tools and strategies related to CPT in their interactions. Participants found they could apply strategies to improve patients' comprehension of information and to confirm their understanding of patients' communication. However, using strategies to enhance patients' expressive abilities was perceived as more challenging. Conclusions: Training health professionals in CPT increases their confidence in managing communication with patients in PTCS. Further research is needed to evaluate the efficacy of CPT within a stronger research design.

M3 - Journal article

JO - Brain Injury

JF - Brain Injury

SN - 0269-9052

ER -