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ERIC Number: EJ1384746
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2023
Pages: 15
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1368-2822
EISSN: EISSN-1460-6984
Available Date: N/A
Access, Referral, Service Provision and Management of Individuals with Primary Progressive Aphasia: A Survey of Speech-Language Therapists in Italy
Battista, Petronilla; Piccininni, Marco; Montembeault, Maxime; Messina, Annachiara; Minafra, Brigida; Miller, Bruce L.; Henry, Maya L.; Gorno Tempini, Maria Luisa; Grasso, Stephanie M.
International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders, v58 n4 p1046-1060 Jul-Aug 2023
Background and Objectives: In Italy, approximately 650 individuals receive a diagnosis of primary progressive aphasia (PPA) every year. Unfortunately, the frequency with which patients are referred to speech-language services is suboptimal, likely due to skepticism regarding the value of speech-language therapy in the context of neurodegeneration. Materials and Methods: We conducted a virtual survey of speech and language therapists (SLTs) across Italy, to collect information about the assessment, intervention and management of patients with PPA. To ensure that as many SLTs as possible received the survey, the Italian Federation of SLTs (Federazione Logopedisti Italiani, FLI) aided in disseminating the survey. Results: In total, 336 respondents participated in the online survey, 140 of whom had previous experience with PPA patients. Respondents indicated having seen a total of 428 PPA patients in the previous 24 months (three patients on average, range: 0-40). SLTs who reported never working with PPA identified underdiagnoses, low referral rates and the rarity of the clinical syndrome as major reasons for their lack of experience with PPA. SLTs with experience working with PPA indicated that patients may not have accessed services because of service dysfunction and geographical barriers. Respondents reported using informal interviews during assessments and tests developed for post-stroke aphasia, while impairment-based/restitutive interventions were utilised most often. Conclusion: Findings may serve to inform health policy organisations regarding the current shortcomings and needed recommendations for improving the care of individuals with PPA in Italy. Improving awareness of the utility of rehabilitation among SLTs and other clinical service providers may serve to facilitate access to intervention, which in turn will serve to better support individuals living with PPA.
Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www-wiley-com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-us
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) (DHHS/NIH); National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) (DHHS/NIH); National Institute on Aging (NIA) (DHHS/NIH)
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Italy
Grant or Contract Numbers: R01NS050915; K24DC015544; U01AG052943
Author Affiliations: N/A