Aphasia-Diagnostic Challenges and Trends: Speech-Language Pathologist’s Perspective

  • Faiza Badar, Ms. Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad, Pakistan
  • Sajida Naz, Dr. Fatima Jinnah Women University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
  • Nazia Mumtaz, Dr. Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University, Islamabad, Pakistan https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3198-6744
  • Muhammad Naveed Babur, Dr. Isra University, Pakistan
  • Ghulam Saqulain, Dr. Capital Hospital PGMI, CDA Islamabad https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6452-9339
Keywords: Aphasia, Assessment, Speech language pathologists, Tools

Abstract

Objectives: To explore current aphasia assessment practices and barriers among Pakistani speech language pathologists.

Methods: Descriptive study design with qualitative parameters was used. Participants were identified using purposive sampling over a period of eight months from 1st December 2018 to 31st July 2019. Sample comprised of ten speech-language pathologists with least five years’ experience of working with aphasic clients from four major cities of Pakistan including Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore and Peshawar. Study included in depth interviews using a self-structured interview guide with probe questions. Data recorded was transcribed and thematic analyses were drawn manually.

Results: Thematic analysis revealed that most Speech language pathologists rely heavily on informal assessment techniques. With no aphasia assessment tool available in Urdu language, no consensus as to the optimal evaluation strategy or tool for aphasia assessment was noted. However, need for such tool was highlighted by all participants. Hence, non-availability of standardized and culturally appropriate assessment tool in “Urdu” language turned out to be the major barrier in adopting formal assessment for aphasic clients, while time consumed in formal testing remained second most reported issue.

Conclusion: There is a dire need of quick aphasia assessment tool in Urdu language with established psychometric properties and culturally appropriate norms.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.5.2314

How to cite this:
Badar F, Naz S, Mumtaz N, Babur MN, Saqulain G. Aphasia-Diagnostic Challenges and Trends: Speech-Language Pathologist’s Perspective. Pak J Med Sci. 2021;37(5):1461-1466. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.5.2314

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Author Biographies

Faiza Badar, Ms., Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad, Pakistan

Ms. Faiza Badar, M.S (Speech Language Pathology)

Manager,
Rehabilitation Department,
Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad, Pakistan

Sajida Naz, Dr., Fatima Jinnah Women University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan

Dr. Sajida Naz, PhD (Trauma Psychology)

Assistant Professor,
Department of Behavioral Sciences,
Fatima Jinnah Women University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan

Nazia Mumtaz, Dr., Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University, Islamabad, Pakistan

Dr. Nazia Mumtaz, PhD (Rehabilitation Sciences)

In Charge Post-Graduate Programs,
Allied Health Sciences
Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University, Islamabad, Pakistan

Muhammad Naveed Babur, Dr., Isra University, Pakistan

Dr. Muhammad Naveed Babur, PhD (Rehabilitation Sciences)

Ghulam Saqulain, Dr., Capital Hospital PGMI, CDA Islamabad

Dr. Ghulam Saqulain, F.C.P.S (Otorhinolaryngology)

Head of Department & Associate Professor
Department of Otorhinolaryngology
Capital Hospital PGMI, Islamabad, Pakistan

Published
2021-07-16
How to Cite
Badar, F., Naz, S., Mumtaz, N., Babur, M., & Saqulain, G. (2021). Aphasia-Diagnostic Challenges and Trends: Speech-Language Pathologist’s Perspective. Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences, 37(5). https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.5.2314
Section
Original Articles

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