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Improving Care for People with Aphasia: Communication Training for Healthcare Providers

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Title: Improving Care for People with Aphasia: Communication Training for Healthcare Providers
Language: English
Authors: Carolina Maurício, Pedro Sá-Couto, Isabel Monteiro da Costa, Maria Assunção C. Matos
Source: International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders. 2026 61(2).
Availability: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 12
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Interpersonal Communication, Communication Disorders, Barriers, Aphasia, Allied Health Personnel, Allied Health Occupations Education, Training, Program Effectiveness, Communication Skills, Foreign Countries
Geographic Terms: Portugal
DOI: 10.1111/1460-6984.70208
ISSN: 1368-2822
1460-6984
Abstract: Introduction: Communication barriers significantly impact the quality of care for people with aphasia (PWA). To address this, training healthcare professionals (HCPs) who interact with PWA is essential. The Health Professionals and Aphasia Questionnaire (HPAQ) assess the effectiveness of such training by measuring changes from pre- to post-intervention. Objective: This study aimed to translate and validate the HPAQ into European Portuguese (HPAQ-EP) and to analyse the effectiveness of the Communicative Training in Aphasia program by examining changes in HCPs' communication skills at a clinical centre in Portugal using the newly developed HPAQ-EP. Methods: A pre-post intervention study was conducted in two phases. Phase 1 involved translating the HPAQ-EP and validating it through expert panel review, in accordance with international guidelines. Content validity was assessed using the Content Validity Index (CVI). In Phase 2, the HPAQ-EP was administered to HCPs at a clinical centre before and after a training session based on the Supported Conversation for Adults with Aphasia (SCA) approach. Results: The HPAQ-EP demonstrated strong content validity (CVI > 0.80) and good internal consistency ([alpha] = 0.912), comparable to the original tool. Following implementation of the "Communicative Training in Aphasia" program (n = 23), significant improvements were observed, as reported by the HPAQ-EP, in items related to 'Knowledge', 'Skills', 'Attitudes and Emotions' (items 8 and 9) and 'Environment (item 14). Participants found the aphasia simulation the most challenging part and it was particularly insightful for understanding the lived experience of PWA. Conclusions: This study shows that targeted communication training significantly enhances HCPs' readiness to engage with PWA, highlighting its clinical value. The findings also confirm the HPAQ-EP as a valid and reliable tool for assessing HCPs' attitudes toward aphasia and for guiding the implementation of such training. Future efforts should emphasise long-term follow-up and broader implementation across healthcare settings.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1500547
Database: ERIC
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  Data: Improving Care for People with Aphasia: Communication Training for Healthcare Providers
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  Data: English
– Name: Author
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Carolina+Maurício%22">Carolina Maurício</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Pedro+Sá-Couto%22">Pedro Sá-Couto</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Isabel+Monteiro+da+Costa%22">Isabel Monteiro da Costa</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Maria+Assunção+C%2E+Matos%22">Maria Assunção C. Matos</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22International+Journal+of+Language+%26+Communication+Disorders%22"><i>International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders</i></searchLink>. 2026 61(2).
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  Data: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
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  Data: Y
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  Data: 12
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  Data: 2026
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  Data: Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Interpersonal+Communication%22">Interpersonal Communication</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Communication+Disorders%22">Communication Disorders</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Barriers%22">Barriers</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Aphasia%22">Aphasia</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Allied+Health+Personnel%22">Allied Health Personnel</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Allied+Health+Occupations+Education%22">Allied Health Occupations Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Training%22">Training</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Program+Effectiveness%22">Program Effectiveness</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Communication+Skills%22">Communication Skills</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Portugal%22">Portugal</searchLink>
– Name: DOI
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  Data: 10.1111/1460-6984.70208
– Name: ISSN
  Label: ISSN
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  Data: 1368-2822<br />1460-6984
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Introduction: Communication barriers significantly impact the quality of care for people with aphasia (PWA). To address this, training healthcare professionals (HCPs) who interact with PWA is essential. The Health Professionals and Aphasia Questionnaire (HPAQ) assess the effectiveness of such training by measuring changes from pre- to post-intervention. Objective: This study aimed to translate and validate the HPAQ into European Portuguese (HPAQ-EP) and to analyse the effectiveness of the Communicative Training in Aphasia program by examining changes in HCPs' communication skills at a clinical centre in Portugal using the newly developed HPAQ-EP. Methods: A pre-post intervention study was conducted in two phases. Phase 1 involved translating the HPAQ-EP and validating it through expert panel review, in accordance with international guidelines. Content validity was assessed using the Content Validity Index (CVI). In Phase 2, the HPAQ-EP was administered to HCPs at a clinical centre before and after a training session based on the Supported Conversation for Adults with Aphasia (SCA) approach. Results: The HPAQ-EP demonstrated strong content validity (CVI > 0.80) and good internal consistency ([alpha] = 0.912), comparable to the original tool. Following implementation of the "Communicative Training in Aphasia" program (n = 23), significant improvements were observed, as reported by the HPAQ-EP, in items related to 'Knowledge', 'Skills', 'Attitudes and Emotions' (items 8 and 9) and 'Environment (item 14). Participants found the aphasia simulation the most challenging part and it was particularly insightful for understanding the lived experience of PWA. Conclusions: This study shows that targeted communication training significantly enhances HCPs' readiness to engage with PWA, highlighting its clinical value. The findings also confirm the HPAQ-EP as a valid and reliable tool for assessing HCPs' attitudes toward aphasia and for guiding the implementation of such training. Future efforts should emphasise long-term follow-up and broader implementation across healthcare settings.
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        Value: 10.1111/1460-6984.70208
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      – Text: English
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        PageCount: 12
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      – SubjectFull: Interpersonal Communication
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Communication Disorders
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      – SubjectFull: Barriers
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      – SubjectFull: Aphasia
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      – SubjectFull: Allied Health Personnel
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      – SubjectFull: Allied Health Occupations Education
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      – SubjectFull: Training
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      – SubjectFull: Program Effectiveness
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      – SubjectFull: Communication Skills
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      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
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      – SubjectFull: Portugal
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      – TitleFull: Improving Care for People with Aphasia: Communication Training for Healthcare Providers
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