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.