Communicating with individuals receiving home mechanical ventilation: the experiences of key communication partners

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Purpose: The aim of the study was to explore the communication experiences of key communications partners (CPs) of individuals receiving home mechanical ventilation (HMV), with particular emphasis on the possibilities, difficulties and limitations CPs experienced in communication, possible support given to facilitate communication and exploring what made a skilled communicator. Method: A qualitative research design using interviews was used. The participants included 19 key CPs of individuals receiving HMV. Results: The analysis resulted in five themes: Encountering communication limitations, Functional communication strategies, Being a communication facilitator, Role insecurity and Emotional reactions and coping. The findings revealed that CPs needed to develop partly new reference frames for communication. In particular, participants emphasised the need to understand and interpret subtle details in the communicative interaction. Conclusions: The findings are discussed in the light of previous research, in particular an earlier study exploring another perspective; the ventilator-supported individuals’ experiences of communication. Issues relating to the educational needs of CPs of individuals receiving HMV are discussed. The results are intended to enhance understanding of the challenges that individuals receiving HMV and their CPs face with communication, which should be of relevance not only to speech therapists, but for all healthcare practitioners in the field of HMV.Implications for RehabilitationIndividuals receiving home mechanical ventilation (HMV) as well as their communication partners (CPs) face many challenges with communication.Skilled CPs adopt a variety of communication strategies and roles to support the communication of individuals receiving HMV and to enhance empowerment.It is important to promote care continuity, as experience is an important factor in being a skilled communicator.Speech therapists should play an active role in the management of individuals receiving HMV and their CP training.