The perspectives of adults with aphasia and their team members regarding the importance of nine life areas for rehabilitation: a pilot investigation

Designing electronic graphic symbol-based AAC systems: a scoping review. Part 2: application of human-centred design

PURPOSE

This is the second of two papers summarizing studies reporting on the design of electronic graphic symbol-based augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems. The aim of this paper was to describe the design approaches used and to determine to what extent the principles of human-centred design (HCD) were reflected in the design approaches and processes used.

METHODS

A scoping review was conducted. A multifaceted search resulted in the identification of 28 studies meeting the selection criteria. Data were extracted relating to four areas of interest, namely, (1) the general characteristics of the studies, (2) features of the systems designed, (3) availability of the systems to the public and (4) the design processes followed. In this paper, findings related to the last area are presented.

RESULTS

Design approaches were often inconsistently described. User-centred design was mentioned more often than HCD. Even so, various HCD principles were considered in most studies. Notably, stakeholders were involved in the design process in all studies. However, users were not involved in all studies and stakeholder roles were predominantly informative rather than collaborative. Prototype and product evaluations focussed mostly on usability rather than user experience. Although many design teams were multidisciplinary, engineers and computer scientists predominated.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a need for designers to be more transparent about the type of design approach used to guide the system design and also to clearly report on design approaches and processes used. The application of HCD to the design of graphic symbol-based AAC systems is still limited.Implications for rehabilitationHuman-centred design approaches can productively guide the design of electronic graphic symbol-based augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems.Creative methods are needed to involve stakeholders with complex communication needs in all phases of the design process.Evaluation of electronic graphic symbol-based AAC systems should consider both usability and user experience.

Categories of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health in studies of people with aphasia: a scoping review

ABSTRACT Purpose: to identify, through a scoping review, the categories of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health described in studies on aphasia. Methods: the search was performed by DECs, MeSH terms and free terms related to the “International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health” and “aphasia” in five databases, EMBASE, LILACS, PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science, and four search engines of grey literature. The PRISMA recommendations were used. EndNote and Rayyan managers were used to remove duplicates and read titles, abstracts and full studies. Papers that contained “aphasia” and some aspect from the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health were eligible, published from 2001. The data recorded were: type of study, level of evidence, sample, objectives and categories. Literature Review: 1,366 studies were located in the databases and 341 in the grey literature. The mostly described first level categories in the 13 selected studies were: Structures of the Nervous System (Brain); Mental Functions (Language); Communication (Conversation); Support and Relationships (Immediate Family). Gender and age were some of the most identified Personal Factors. Conclusion: this review provides support to the use of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health for performance with people with aphasia.

Categorias da Classificação Internacional de Funcionalidade, Incapacidade e Saúde na atuação com pessoas com afasia: uma revisão de escopo

RESUMO Objetivo: identificar, por meio de uma revisão de escopo, as categorias da Classificação Internacional de Funcionalidade, Incapacidade e Saúde descritas em estudos sobre as afasias. Métodos: foi realizada uma busca nas bases de dados EMBASE, LILACS, PubMed, Scopus e Web of Science e em quatro buscadores da literatura cinzenta a partir dos DECs, termos Mesh e termos livres relacionados à “International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health” e à “aphasia”. As recomendações do PRISMA foram utilizadas. Os gerenciadores EndNote e Rayyan foram usados para remoção das duplicatas e para a leitura dos títulos, resumos e textos completos. Foram elegíveis os trabalhos que incluíam “afasia” e algum conceito da Classificação Internacional de Funcionalidade, Incapacidade e Saúde; publicados a partir de 2001. As informações registradas foram: tipo de estudo, nível de evidência, amostra, objetivos e categorias. Revisão de Literatura: foram localizados 1366 trabalhos nas bases de dados e 341 na literatura cinzenta. As categorias de primeiro nível mais descritas nos 13 estudos selecionados foram: Estruturas do Sistema Nervoso (Cérebro); Funções Mentais (Linguagem); Comunicação (Conversação); Apoio e Relacionamentos (Família Nuclear). Sexo e idade foram alguns dos Fatores Pessoais mais identificados. Conclusão: esta revisão fornece suporte para recomendar o uso da Classificação Internacional de Funcionalidade, Incapacidade e Saúde na atuação com pessoas com afasia.

Developing a health interview tool for Medicaid home and community-based services clients and home care aides through a community-engaged approach

We describe a community-engaged approach to develop and pilot a home care aide (HCA) administered health interview with Medicaid Home and Community-based Services clients. Stakeholders identified five priority health topics and selected a card sorting methodology for interviews. A barrier to interviewing clients was decreased communication skills among HCAs, and we modified health interview training to include communication training. Stakeholders reported the interview methodology was feasible within usual care, acceptable to clients, and contributed to increased knowledge on providing person-centered care. Stakeholder engagement resulted in valuable insights regarding the health interview methodology and relevant training needs.