Abstract
Background: Aboriginal Australians experience stroke up to 3 times more frequently than non- Aboriginal Australians. Linked hospital data has revealed broad demographic, inpatient and discharge information related to acute hospital admissions for Aboriginal people with brain injury. However little detail is known about the nature of services received during the admission.
Aims: To investigate speech pathology services provided to Aboriginal people with an acquired communication disorder (ACD) following stroke during their acute hospital admission. Methods: A retrospective exploratory review of available medical files for Aboriginal people who had a documented ACD following stroke in 2006 – 2016 was completed in 4 metropolitan and 5 rural hospitals across WA. Details of diagnoses and speech pathology (SP) services provided were extracted.
Results: Of 109 files reviewed, 49 (45%) related to first-ever stroke. Of these, 49% were female, 74% were _65 years of age and 80% lived outside a metropolitan area. Dysarthria was the most frequent diagnosis (49%) followed by aphasia (18%). All were assessed by a speech pathologist (63% within one day of admission) and 53% received intervention following assessment. Records noted family involvement for 16% of individuals and use of an interpreter for one person, but no recorded involvement of Aboriginal Liaison Officers in SP sessions.
Conclusions: The demographic profile of the patients is consistent with the linked hospital data profile previously published. Notwithstanding all reviewed cases receiving some SP service, this descriptive data on SP intervention raises important questions regarding culturally secure care in the acute setting for Aboriginal people with ACD.