title: Equivalence of functional communication assessment in speech pathology using videoconferencing.
abstract: We examined the equivalence of videoconferencing assessment of communication by speech-language pathologists (SLPs). Using a randomized, double-crossover agreement study, 24 post-stroke patients were randomized to a remote or face-to-face administration of a subset of the Boston Diagnostic Aphasia Examination and to remote or face-to-face assessment of speech comprehension, speech expression and motor speech. The videoconferencing equipment was operated at a transmission speed of 384 kbit/s. Each patient was simultaneously scored by both the face-to-face and the remote SLPs. SLPs were blind to each other's results. Percentage agreement within the 95% limits of agreement ranged from 92% to 100% for each functional communication measure, regardless of assessment site and administration of the aphasia examination. The results suggest that assessment of a patient's functional communication using videoconferencing is equivalent to a face-to-face encounter.
authors.affiliation: Center for Health and Disability Research, National Rehabilitation Hospital, Washington, DC, USA. spalsbo@gmu.edu
authors.forename: Susan E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Palsbo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001037:Aphasia / Q000175:diagnosis*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015588:Observer Variation; D010865:Pilot Projects; D019114:Remote Consultation; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D049269:Videoconferencing