Enhancing communicative success following stroke
A problem-based learning package
Please note: This is a group learning package with downloadable resources for face-to-face delivery. It is not an online module.
Many healthcare workers do not know how to adjust their approach to communication when managing patients who have a post-stroke communication disorder. They often have a limited understanding of the different types of communication disorders following stroke, and this can leave both patients and staff frustrated with their interactions.
This problem-based learning package is intended to change these common issues in clinical practice and give people with a post-stroke communication impairment more effective communication partners, to empower them to participate in their own healthcare.
The package is to be used in groups of 5–13 nursing, allied health or medical staff, with a facilitator.
Learning objectives
- Identify the types of communication impairment that can result from stroke, including:
- dysarthria
- aphasia.
- Understand the barriers to communication within the healthcare system.
- Discuss strategies to minimise these communicative barriers:
- environment strategies
- verbal strategies for listeners and speakers, including use of gesture and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC).
- Implement supported conversation strategies in clinical practice.
What’s included in the training package?
- Four x 1-hour multimedia tutorials as online interactive modules or in PowerPoint, designed for face-to-face group discussion.
- Participant resources, including workbooks and useful websites.
- Facilitator resources to assist the busy clinician.
Commitment required
- Four x 1-hour sessions at work with a facilitator.
- Self-directed learning and reading outside of sessions.
Each module builds on the previous one, so ongoing commitment over the four sessions is essential.
Getting started
The Facilitator’s Guide is the best place to start, as it describes the rationale for the teaching style, discusses the content, and explains how to use the training package.
Acknowledgement
This training package was developed by speech pathologist Simone Munro while working in a stroke unit at Southern Health. Originally developed for nursing staff, it has since been extended to allied health and medical healthcare workers. This training tool was funded by the Victorian Stroke Clinical Network.
Package contents
Multimedia tutorials
The main elements are the following tutorials that can now be accessed as interactive modules online:
Module 1
Module 2
Module 3
Module 4
Alternatively, the tutorials are also available as the following downloadable PowerPoint files. These contain embedded video content that may not play on all devices. Please test that they work for you before using them in a session.
Module 1 (Google Docs)
Module 2 (Google Docs)
Module 3 (Google Docs)
Module 4 (Google Docs)
Participant resources
Workbook 1 (PDF 420 KB)
Workbook 2 (PDF 775 KB)
Workbook 3 (PDF 514 KB)
Workbook 4 (PDF 386 KB)
References for Module 1 (PDF 382 KB)
References for Module 2 (PDF 178 KB)
Facilitator resources
Facilitator’s Guide (PDF 623 KB)
Introduction to problem-based learning (Google Docs)
Module 1 with facilitator notes (Google Docs)
Module 2 with facilitator notes (Google Docs)
Module 3 with facilitator notes (Google Docs)
Module 4 with facilitator notes (Google Docs)
Pre-education survey (PDF 306 KB)
Post-education survey (PDF 317 KB)
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