Perspectives of Orthoptists Working with Patients with Communication Impairments

Lau, S; Power, E; French, A

Perspectives of Orthoptists Working with Patients with Communication Impairments

Lau, S Power, E

French, A

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Publisher:: White Rose University Press
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: British and Irish Orthoptic Journal, 20

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Lau, S
dc.contributor.author	Power, E https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2638-0406
dc.contributor.author	French, A https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8114-8127
dc.date.accessioned	2024-01-08T01:57:29Z
dc.date.available	2024-01-08T01:57:29Z
dc.identifier.citation	British and Irish Orthoptic Journal, 20
dc.identifier.issn	2516-3590
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/174078
dc.description.abstract	<jats:p>Aims: To survey orthoptists’ confidence in communicating with patients with communication impairments and to investigate resources orthoptists are currently using to aid assessment and management and to explore future resources that may be beneficial. Methods and Procedures: Practicing orthoptists (n = 63; median age range: 31–35 years old) completed an online survey with quantitative and qualitative questions which investigated approaches to adult and paediatric patients with communication impairments and any communication tools used. Analysis of quantitative survey responses was conducted using IBM SPSS v27. Content analysis of qualitative responses was done. Outcomes and Results: Simple communication strategies (e.g., eye contact and body language, repeating/rephrasing sentences) were commonly used with both adult and paediatric patients while more complex strategies (e.g., electronic visual aids, writing key words/concepts) were rarely used. Usage of communication strategies was not affected by length of work experience, workplace clinical speciality or training during their clinical degree or after graduation (p < 0.05). Most participants (71.2%) reported being unaware of resources available for orthoptists to assist in the assessment and management of patients with communication impairments. Conclusions and Implications: Orthoptists have adopted some communication strategies to improve their interactions with patients with communication impairments, despite limited resources. With proper resources, such as training in supportive communication techniques, they can provide optimal patient care, making it essential to identify what kind of resources would be most appropriate.</jats:p>
dc.language	en
dc.publisher	White Rose University Press
dc.relation.ispartof	British and Irish Orthoptic Journal
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.22599/bioj.321
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.title	Perspectives of Orthoptists Working with Patients with Communication Impairments
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	20
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health/Graduate School of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health/Graduate School of Health/GSH.Orthoptics
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health/Graduate School of Health/GSH.Speech Pathology
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
dc.date.updated	2024-01-08T01:57:28Z
pubs.publication-status	Published online
pubs.volume	20

Abstract:

Aims: To survey orthoptists’ confidence in communicating with patients with communication impairments and to investigate resources orthoptists are currently using to aid assessment and management and to explore future resources that may be beneficial. Methods and Procedures: Practicing orthoptists (n = 63; median age range: 31–35 years old) completed an online survey with quantitative and qualitative questions which investigated approaches to adult and paediatric patients with communication impairments and any communication tools used. Analysis of quantitative survey responses was conducted using IBM SPSS v27. Content analysis of qualitative responses was done. Outcomes and Results: Simple communication strategies (e.g., eye contact and body language, repeating/rephrasing sentences) were commonly used with both adult and paediatric patients while more complex strategies (e.g., electronic visual aids, writing key words/concepts) were rarely used. Usage of communication strategies was not affected by length of work experience, workplace clinical speciality or training during their clinical degree or after graduation (p < 0.05). Most participants (71.2%) reported being unaware of resources available for orthoptists to assist in the assessment and management of patients with communication impairments. Conclusions and Implications: Orthoptists have adopted some communication strategies to improve their interactions with patients with communication impairments, despite limited resources. With proper resources, such as training in supportive communication techniques, they can provide optimal patient care, making it essential to identify what kind of resources would be most appropriate.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/174078