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.
Highlights
South Asia harbors thickly populated countries with Pakistan being fifth most populous country around the globe.[1]
Outcomes drawn from thematic analysis were categorized in four principles themes extracted from the interviews (Table-II)
Time consumed in translating available test in native language was a problem faced and reported by speech language pathologists
Summary
South Asia harbors thickly populated countries with Pakistan being fifth most populous country around the globe.[1] a trend toward urbanization has resulted in socioeconomic. Correspondence: February 1, 2020 October 27, 2020 May 17, 2021 May 29, 2021 changes with better control of infectious diseases leading to decreased mortality and increased life span. With this change, probability of risk towards illnesses of old age including cardiac disease and episodes of stroke have multiplied. There is limited population-based data available on epidemiology of stroke from developing countries of South Asia including. Awareness regarding risk factors and management of stroke among general public and caregivers is very limited and unreliable.[4]
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