AAC in ICU survey study (Cheng et al., 2024)

Purpose: Effective communication between nonspeaking patients and providers is critical for the quality of care in intensive care units (ICUs). This study aims to evaluate perspectives of health care providers and nonspeaking patients on effective communication and communication barriers in the ICU.

Method: Qualitative and quantitative survey methodologies were employed to evaluate providers’ and patients’ perspectives on effective communication. Rating scales were utilized to measure patients’ frustration levels and communication effectiveness. Open-ended questions were employed to reflect on barriers to communication in the ICU, instances of ineffective communication, and recommendations for enhancing effective communication.

Results: The results of the study suggest that nonspeaking patients experienced high levels of frustration due to ineffective communication. However, the data reveal that access to appropriate augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) strategies and materials could help mitigate patients’ frustration. Providers mainly communicated via asking yes/no questions, which largely limited the information patients conveyed, leading to frequent communication breakdowns. Providers expressed a desire to participate in training programs to utilize appropriate AAC strategies and promote effective communication.

Conclusions: This study provides preliminary survey results on perspectives of patients and providers on effective communication in the ICU. Both providers and patients reported experiencing challenges and frustration during their communication, due to barriers such as providers’ insufficient training experience and lack of access to AAC materials. Skill training is warranted to promote effective patient–provider communication in intensive care settings.

Supplemental Material S1. Survey questions for providers.

Supplemental Material S2. Survey questions for patients.

Supplemental Material S3. Barriers that hinder effective communication in the ICU from providers’ perspectives.

Supplemental Material S4. Communication breakdowns reported by providers.

Supplemental Material S5. Barriers that hinder effective communication in the ICU from patients’ perspectives.

Supplemental Material S6. Communication breakdowns reported by patients.

Cheng, C., Schommer, L., Tarver, M., LaValley, M., Lemieux, N., Mery, M., & Koul, R. (2024). Exploring communication needs and challenges in the intensive care unit: A survey study from providers’ and patients’ perspectives. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 33(5), 2311–2326. https://doi.org/10.1044/2024_AJSLP-23-00385