The feasibility of using telepractice delivery method to assess people with aphasia in Gulf Arabic countries (Saudi Arabia and Kuwait)

Abstract

Aphasia is the loss or impairment of language following brain damage, with the most common cause being stroke. In Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Arabic countries, there is a lack of Speech and Language Therapy (SL T) assessment and therapy materials available in Arabic and local dialects. Furthermore, there is an uneven distribution of SL Ts who work with people with aphasia (PWA). One solution to maximise the accessibility of PWA is the use of telepractice. This doctoral thesis aimed to examine the feasibility of using the telepractice delivery method to assess PW A in two Gulf Arabic countries (Saudi Arabia and Kuwait). A questionnaire was used to identify the aphasia assessment protocol followed by SL Ts in Saudi Arabia and their perceptions of telepractice delivery for their everyday practice (Chapter 2). Results confirmed the lack of available assessment materials for PW A. The second study developed and initially evaluated the psychometric properties of the Short Aphasia Test for Gulf Arabic Speakers (SATG) (Chapter 3). The SATG was found to be reliable over time and from one clinician to another, and was established to be a valid test for Gulf Arabic PW A. The third study aimed to answer the thesis ' main question, Is the telepractice a feasible delivery method for assessing PWA in Gulf Arabic countries? (Chapter 4). Results showed a difference between participants' SATG overall scores in the telepractice and face-to-face (FTF) delivery methods, mainly caused by fluctuating internet connection. Specific SA TG subtests (e.g. auditory comprehension) were vulnerable to this problem. Participants reported high satisfaction with the use of telepractice. In summary, telepractice could be used as a complement to the services provided through traditional FTF delivery. Further investigation is needed to examine the feasibility of conducting therapy via telepractice and whether it is cost effective. Moreover, additional evaluation of the SA TG psychometric properties is needed using a non-aphasia post-stroke population.