Intersection of Knowledge to Practice: A Purposeful Integration of Communication Partner Training in Aphasia With Adult Learning Principles for Healthcare Students

What is already known on this subject Communication partner training (CPT) can equip future healthcare providers with tools to more effectively communicate with patients with aphasia. Studies have shown such training to be effective for improving knowledge and attitudes in healthcare students, although research to date has yet to demonstrate changes in the actual adoption of facilitative conversation skills. What does this paper add to existing knowledge This study replicates and extends previous research regarding CPT for healthcare students by demonstrating that online training based on adult learning principles is an effective and efficient tool for training knowledge, attitudes, and skills that facilitate communication with individuals with aphasia. In addition, findings indicate the importance of designing training materials that illustrate facilitative conversation skills in discipline-specific contexts. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work? This study provides a foundation for scaling CPT programming in healthcare education. Widespread adoption of such programming will have a direct impact on healthcare access in individuals with aphasia.