The workshop, “Communicating with Persons with Aphasia: Putting it Into Practice”, was hosted at Providence Care Hospital in Founder’s Hall. The 58 participants included a variety of health care providers from acute care, rehabilitation, complex continuing care, outpatient and community programs, long-term care and other related settings. The large number of participants demonstrated the keen interest of those who care for people with aphasia to learn more and refresh their knowledge and skills. Health care providers were able to participate in person, connect with colleagues and learn from Speech-Language Pathologists, Monika Bhatnagar and Kathryn Sirard. Participants were able to learn more about the different types of communication challenges that can occur following a stroke, how they may affect the individual, identify characteristics of successful communication and learn strategies which may be used to support conversation. There was a practical component to the day, where participants were able to learn practical tips to utilize in their various practice settings and try their new skills with their colleagues. The workshop received very positive feedback, with survey respondents expressing that they appreciated “the variety of teaching methods”, “how relatable the instructors made the content”, and that overall “the workshop was very beneficial and informative”, “especially the video clips and role play” which allowed for an “opportunity to put yourself in a patient’s shoes for a moment”.
If you are interested in learning more about aphasia, please check out the Aphasia Institute Resources