Oral Presentation Australian and New Zealand Stroke Organisation Conference 2025

Communication Partner Training (CPT) in stroke services: A national survey investigating current practice, implementation barriers and training preferences. (122812)

Kirstine Shrubsole 1 2 3 , Sarah J Wallace 1 2 3 , Jytte Isaksen 4 , David Copland 1 2 3 , Emma Power 5
  1. Queensland Aphasia Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane
  2. School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
  3. STARS Education and Research Alliance, Metro North Hospital and Health Service, Brisbane
  4. Faculty of Humanities, University of Southern Denmark, Odense
  5. Graduate School of Health , University of Technology Sydney, Sydney

Background: Communication Partner Training (CPT) equips staff with skills to communicate with people with aphasia. CPT improves communication outcomes and healthcare experiences and is a strong recommendation in stroke guidelines1. However, national audit data shows large evidence-practice implementation gaps in acute and rehabilitation settings.  

Objectives: To explore a) current CPT practice in stroke teams, b) barriers and facilitators influencing CPT implementation, and c) preferences on ideal CPT.

Methods: Australian stroke clinicians (speech pathologists – SLPs; multidisciplinary team - MDT) working with people with aphasia across acute, rehabilitation and community settings completed an online cross-sectional survey based on the Theoretical Domains Framework2. Data were described using descriptive statistics, with percentage agreement used to analyse reported barriers and facilitators. Open-ended responses were analysed using content analysis.

Results: Analyses included 206 surveys (SLPs = 105; MDT including nursing, allied health, physicians = 101). Most (SLP 98%; MDT 71%) agreed CPT benefits patients with aphasia, however fewer than 20% of MDT respondents reported receiving CPT. Most (87%) SLPs provided CPT, but only 36% reported alignment with best practice, typically providing brief educational sessions without active practice. The MDT reported lacking knowledge and confidence in using communication strategies. Key barriers included staff availability, limited systems-level support and training opportunities. Training needs and preferences included flexible delivery formats, interactive learning approaches, inclusion of practical strategies.

Conclusions: Current CPT practice does not align with best practice guidelines and the stroke MDT have unmet training needs. A targeted sustainable CPT implementation strategy is required to address key barriers.

  1. 1. Stroke Foundation. Clinical Guidelines for Stroke Management. Melbourne, Australia.2023.
  2. 2. Cane J, O'Connor D, Michie S. Validation of the Theoretical Domains Framework for use in behaviour change and implementation research. Implement Sci. 2012;7:37.