title: Communication aid requirements of intensive care unit patients with transient speech loss.
abstract: Alert and transiently nonvocal intensive care unit (ICU) patients are dependent on augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). Unfortunately, the literature demonstrates that existent AAC devices have not been widely adopted, and unaided methods are often the primary modalities used despite being insufficient, and frustrating. We present the results of a qualitative semi-structured interview study with 8 ex-ICU patients, 4 ICU patient relatives, and 6 ICU staff, exploring their AAC needs and requirements. Participants identified important AAC hardware, software, and content requirements. Salient factors impacting on AAC adoption in the ICU setting were also highlighted and included the need for staff training and bedside patient assessment. Based on the study results, we propose a series of recommendations regarding the design and implementation of future AAC tools specifically targeted at this group.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Surgery & Cancer , Imperial College London , UK.
authors.forename: Mohammad H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Mobasheri
authors.affiliation: b Institute of Global Health Innovation, Imperial College London , UK.
authors.forename: Dominic
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: King
authors.affiliation: c Barnsley Assistive Technology Team, Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust , Barnsley , UK.
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Judge
authors.affiliation: d Faculty of Medicine , Imperial College London , UK.
authors.forename: Faizan
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Arshad
authors.affiliation: d Faculty of Medicine , Imperial College London , UK.
authors.forename: Marius
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Larsen
authors.affiliation: d Faculty of Medicine , Imperial College London , UK.
authors.forename: Zahra
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Safarfashandi
authors.affiliation: d Faculty of Medicine , Imperial College London , UK.
authors.forename: Hemal
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.affiliation: d Faculty of Medicine , Imperial College London , UK.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Trepekli
authors.affiliation: d Faculty of Medicine , Imperial College London , UK.
authors.forename: Sanjay
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Trikha
authors.affiliation: d Faculty of Medicine , Imperial College London , UK.
authors.forename: Diamantis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Xylas
authors.affiliation: a Department of Surgery & Cancer , Imperial College London , UK.
authors.forename: Stephen J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Brett
authors.affiliation: b Institute of Global Health Innovation, Imperial College London , UK.
authors.forename: Ara
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Darzi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000488:Allied Health Personnel; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003143:Communication Devices for People with Disabilities; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008297:Male; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013064:Speech Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D013070:Speech Therapy; D014139:Tracheostomy
keywords: Augmentative and alternative communication; communication aid; critical care; intensive care; speech disorder