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Next thread from @LUNA_Aphasia training SLTs in discourse analysis protocol. @MadelineCruice representing the wider team. Blog here on discourse/narrative in aphasia https://blogs.city.ac.uk/luna/ funded by @TheStrokeAssoc #UKSF20
There are barriers to SLT working in discourse - time constraints, lack of protocol, issues with transcribing and analysis, how to interpret the findings (based on previous research by the team).
Aims of this project: is it feasible to train NHS SLTs (in a single day!) to be accurate and efficient at analysing narratives? Compared to a benchmark group and explored efficiency (how much time does it take clinicians to do)? High aims! How did the @LUNA_Aphasia team get on?
58 SLTs attended (worked in aphasia for at least 12 months). 6 hours of training excluding breaks, on a single day. They learned, practiced individually and with a pair, group discussion, then SLTs applied what they learned to a test narrative. SLTs learned to do several analyses
LUNA team decided some analyses were not feasible in a clinical setting (would take too long). Selected clinically feasible analyses based on theory and co-design with SLTs. About the SLTs - 58 split over 2 days. 59% rarely/never used discourse samples in regular practice
Findings: SLTs completed 6 analyses. Took an average of 49 mins to complete the analyses (range 21-79). Important at survey data showed SLTs WON'T do discourse in clinical practice if it takes more than an hour to analyse. Majority of SLTs performed within benchmark range but...
SLTs found it harder to identify/divide utterances but once divided, they found it easier to classify them. Reference chains identified by most. Story grammar elements correctly identified by 92-100% of clinicians. No demographic features of SLTs influenced performance
SLTs who are not confidence CAN learn to analyse discourse in a day, but there are issues with accuracy. Some aspects of discourse analysis are easier to learn than others. Clinically - need to review content of training, will look at clinical utility of this intervention
