Cochrane, Frances, Singleton-Bray, Jenna, Canendo, Waverley, Cornwell, Petrea, and Siyambalapitiya, Samantha (2024) "Working together...I can't stress how important it is": Indigenous Health Liaison Officers' insights into working with speech-language pathologists and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples with stroke and TBI. International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 26 (2). pp. 149-161.

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Abstract

Purpose: Providing culturally safe speech-language pathology services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples with acquired communication disorders (ACDs) may be challenging for non-Indigenous speech-language pathologists (SLPs). Indigenous Health Liaison Officers (IHLOs) may share common histories and culture with patients, and provide valuable insights about cultural safety. The study aim was to explore IHLOs’ experiences of working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults post-stroke or traumatic brain injury (TBI), and with the SLPs who provide services to these peoples.

Method: Using an interpretive description collaborative research design informed by culturally responsive principles, IHLOs (n = 7) participated in interviews facilitated by Aboriginal researchers and the principal investigator. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis, informed by perspectives of Aboriginal researchers.

Result: Two themes, Connection and Spirit and Emotion, and six interdependent categories described how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have, and need, strong connections to family, country, health professionals, and ACD practices. Without these connections, patients’ wellbeing may be deeply affected.

Conclusion: SLPs must collaborate with IHLOs and patients’ family members and draw on their cultural knowledge, expertise, and guidance when working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and ensure connections are created. These connections contribute to culturally safe and responsive speech-language pathology practice.

Item ID:	79676
Item Type:	Article (Research - C1)
ISSN:	1754-9515
Keywords:	Indigenous, cultural liaison, speech-language pathology, stroke, brain injury, Indigenous Health Liaison Officer
Copyright Information:	© 2023 The Speech Pathology Association of Australia Limited
Funders:	Speech Pathology Australia (SPA)
Projects and Grants:	SPA New Researcher Grant
Date Deposited:	09 Aug 2023 00:44
FoR Codes:	42 HEALTH SCIENCES > 4201 Allied health and rehabilitation science > 420110 Speech pathology @ 50% 45 INDIGENOUS STUDIES > 4504 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing > 450409 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health services @ 50%
SEO Codes:	20 HEALTH > 2001 Clinical health > 200199 Clinical health not elsewhere classified @ 100%
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