Researchers: Prof Elizabeth Armstrong, A/Prof Deborah Hersh (Edith Cowan University); A/Prof Judith Katzenellenbogen, A/Prof Julianne Coffin, Prof Sandra Thompson (Combined Universities Centre for Rural Health/UWA); Prof Colleen Hayward (Kurongkurl Katitjin, Edith Cowan University); Deborah Woods (Geraldton Aboriginal Medical Service); Prof Leon Flicker (Royal Perth Hospital/University of Western Australia); Dr Natalie Ciccone (Edith Cowan University)
Funding: NHMRC
Project summary: Acquired Communication Disorder (ACD) is a common consequence of stroke and traumatic brain injury (TBI). These both occur at a higher rate and a much younger age in Indigenous compared to non-Indigenous Australians. ACD has a devastating impact on individuals and their families in the general population, and yet virtually nothing is known about Indigenous people’s experiences of this disorder. Their uptake of speech pathology services is minimal, and to date, short and long-term outcomes are unknown. This study will provide the first comprehensive and significant information on adult Indigenous Australians’ experiences of ACD, and one of the first in the world on Indigenous issues related to such disorders. This is also the first study to address the lack of uptake of Speech Pathology services by Indigenous Australian adults, in relation to both rural and urban Indigenous communities.
The study aims to:
Investigate, using current administrative data, the extent and impact of ACD in urban and rural Western Australian Indigenous populations following stroke or TBI.
Develop and validate a culturally appropriate communication disorder assessment tool for screening by health professionals who are working with Indigenous people after stroke and TBI.
Describe the current status of communication rehabilitation services for Indigenous people.
Develop potential alternative service delivery models that are accessible and culturally appropriate based on the reported experiences of health service providers and the individuals and their families experiencing these disorders.
The research team is comprised of Indigenous and non-Indigenous researchers and will follow a strongly consultative model involving interviews, focus groups and workshops with people with ACD and their families and a range of health professionals. In addition, information will be obtained from existing data sets that will highlight the frequency of communication disorders and services accessed, and will inform the development of future culturally appropriate and accessible rehabilitation services.
Progress: Ongoing