Cochrane, Frances, Singleton-Bray, Jenna, Canendo, Waverley, Siyambalapitiya, Samantha, and Cornwell, Petrea (2021) Indigenous health liaison officers’ insights: Speech pathology and neurogenically injured patients. In: [Presented at the Indigenous Allied Health Australia National Conference]. From: IAHA: Indigenous Allied Health Australia National Conference, 29 November - 2 December 2021, Twin Waters, QLD, Australia.

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Abstract

Background and Aims: Acquired communication disorders (ACDs) commonly occur following neurological injury such as stroke and traumatic brain injury (TBI). Indigenous Australian peoples are immensely diverse, particularly in terms of culture, communication and geography. This diversity may not be well understood by non-Indigenous speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and may impact their ability to accurately diagnose ACDs and provide subsequent culturally safe services. Indigenous Liaison Officers (ILOs) have a vital role in supporting Indigenous Australian patients and their families during their hospital stay. This research aimed to explore ILOs’ experiences of working with Indigenous Australian peoples who have experienced stroke or TBI, and their experiences of working with SLPs who provide services to these patients in the acute hospital setting.

Methods: Seven ILOs from a regional Queensland tertiary hospital participated in semi-structured, conversationally based face-to-face interviews with an Indigenous Australian researcher and the principal investigator. As part of the ethics approval process, the hospital’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Leadership Advisory Council endorsed the study and ensured that it aligned with the principles for the ethical conduct of research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Verbatim transcripts were analysed using qualitative content analysis to identify categories and overarching themes.

Results: Six categories (working together; the therapeutic process; home; rapport and trust; environment; communication) and two overarching themes (connections; spirit and emotion) emerged. All categories were interconnected; the connections created across the categories had deep impacts on patients’ and ILOs’ spirit and emotion.

Conclusions: ILOs provided valuable insights and perspectives about how SLPs can enhance their practices to ensure services are culturally safe and responsive for Indigenous Australian patients who have experienced stroke or TBI. These enhancements may result from SLPs’ better understanding of culture and communication difference that may lead to more effective, meaningful and culturally safe practices. It is essential that SLPs work collaboratively with ILOs and draw on the ILOs’ cultural knowledge, expertise and guidance when working with Indigenous Australian patients.

Item ID:	83248
Item Type:	Conference Item (Presentation)
Date Deposited:	30 Jul 2024 22:36
FoR Codes:	42 HEALTH SCIENCES > 4201 Allied health and rehabilitation science > 420110 Speech pathology @ 100%
SEO Codes:	21 INDIGENOUS > 2103 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health > 210399 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health not elsewhere classified @ 100%
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