Optimizing Telepractice Selection and Implementation for Persons with Aphasia

Authors

  • Elizabeth O. Tibus Center for Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation, Atlanta VA Medical Center
  • Maryanne Weatherill Center for Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation, Atlanta VA Medical Center
  • Amy D. Rodriguez Center for Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation, Atlanta VA Medical Center; Department of Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5195/ijt.2024.6604

Keywords:

Aphasia, Aphasia-friendly, Healthcare, Telepractice, Telerehabilitation, Teleresearch

Abstract

Telepractice is used to conduct many aspects of healthcare, including rehabilitation and research. However, information regarding how to identify optimal candidates and overcome barriers to participating in telepractice are limited. In the context of aphasia rehabilitation research, we developed two tools for optimizing telepractice: (1) the Participant Technology Questionnaire (PTQ), an aphasia-friendly tool for gathering information about potential telepractice participants; and (2) the Virtual-Appropriate Decision Approach (VADA), a framework for assessing and modifying methods that support virtual activities. The PTQ provides valuable information about the effects of human, technology and setting influences that may impact the success of transitioning activities to a virtual format, while the VADA takes findings from the PTQ one step further into application. The PTQ and the VADA can help researchers and clinicians with planning and directing virtual engagement, and both tools have potential to be applied broadly in all areas of telepractice.

  

Author Biographies

Elizabeth O. Tibus, Center for Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation, Atlanta VA Medical Center

Elizabeth O. Tibus is a research speech-language pathologist at the Center for Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation at the Atlanta VA Medical Center in Decatur, Georgia. Her research interests include enhancing therapy outcomes using different aphasia treatments, investigating the use of Prism Adaptation Treatment in left brain stroke patients with aphasia and memory impairment, and improving brain health literacy in children and young adults.

Maryanne Weatherill, Center for Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation, Atlanta VA Medical Center

Maryanne Weatherill is employed by the Atlanta VAMC Center for Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation where she is a member of the Rodriguez Aphasia research team. She holds a PhD in Educational Psychology with an emphasis in Applied Cognition and Development. Her research interests include understanding the relationship between motivation and adherence to treatment recommendations for adults with cognitive-linguistic disorders, and the translation of research into clinical practice.

Amy D. Rodriguez, Center for Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation, Atlanta VA Medical Center; Department of Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine

Dr. Amy Rodriguez is a speech-language pathologist and rehabilitation scientist. She currently works as a Research Health Scientist at the Atlanta VA Center for Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation and as Director for Therapeutic Programs for Emory University’s Cognitive Empowerment Program. Her research is focused on improving treatment outcomes for people with language disorders after stroke and other brain disease.

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Published

2024-06-28

How to Cite

Elizabeth O. Tibus, Maryanne Weatherill, & Amy D. Rodriguez. (2024). Optimizing Telepractice Selection and Implementation for Persons with Aphasia. International Journal of Telerehabilitation, 16(1). https://doi.org/10.5195/ijt.2024.6604

Issue

Vol. 16 No. 1 (2024)

Section

Clinical Research

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Copyright (c) 2024 Elizabeth O. Tibus, Maryanne Weatherill, Amy D. Rodriguez

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