title: "… Trial and error …": Speech-language pathologists' perspectives of working with Indigenous Australian adults with acquired communication disorders.
abstract: This study explored speech-language pathologists' (SLPs) perspectives about factors that influence clinical management of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults with acquired communication disorders (e.g. aphasia, motor speech disorders).
  
  
  
  Using a qualitative phenomenological approach, seven SLPs working in North Queensland, Australia with experience working with this population participated in semi-structured in-depth interviews. Qualitative content analysis was used to identify categories and overarching themes within the data.
  
  
  
  Four categories, in relation to barriers and facilitators, were identified from participants' responses: (1) The Practice Context; (2) Working Together; (3) Client Factors; and (4) Speech-Language Pathologist Factors. Three overarching themes were also found to influence effective speech pathology services: (1) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Practices; (2) Information and Communication; and (3) Time.
  
  
  
  This study identified many complex and inter-related factors which influenced SLPs' effective clinical management of this caseload. The findings suggest that SLPs should employ a flexible, holistic and collaborative approach in order to facilitate effective clinical management with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with acquired communication disorders.
authors.affiliation: a Townsville Hospital and Health Service , Speech Pathology Department , The Townsville Hospital , Townsville , Australia .
authors.forename: Frances Clare
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Cochrane
authors.affiliation: b James Cook University, Speech Pathology , Townsville , Australia .
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.affiliation: c Griffith University, Griffith Health Institute , Gold Coast , Australia , and.
authors.forename: Samantha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Siyambalapitiya
authors.affiliation: d Central QLD University, School of Human, Health and Social Sciences , Rockhampton , Australia.
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Plant
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D003144:Communication Barriers; D003147:Communication Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D054521:Cultural Competency; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D008297:Male; D044382:Population Groups; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013066:Speech-Language Pathology; D000095283:Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
keywords: Acquired; cross-cultural; speech-language pathology