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Mapping the involvement of persons with aphasia in shared decision-making following cerebrovascular accident(s): [PCC203]

Wednesday May 6, 2026 12:15 - 13:30 Poster Arena

Presenter: Bahale Mehale

Track: Poster

Background: Shared decision-making is a collaborative process, built on the notion of co-construction and person-centred care, that involves both client and clinicians in making health-related decisions through the incorporation of research evidence, clinician expertise, and preferences of the persons with aphasia. Aphasia may affect the ability of persons with aphasia to participate in shared decision-making. Rationale: Despite growing developments, research pertaining to the involvement of those with communication impairments, such as aphasia, in shared decision-making processes remains scattered across the knowledge base. As such, the need for a synthesis of how persons with aphasia are involved in shared decision-making is crucial. This thesis, as such, aims to obtain, synthesise, and socially validate current research pertaining to the involvement of persons with aphasia in shared decision-making. Methods: The review followed the Arksey and O’Malley framework and the PRISMA-ScR reporting guidelines. Five electronic databases (PubMed, EBSCOhost, Web of Science, SCOPUS, and Taylor and Francis) were searched for studies published between 2000 and 2025.  Finally, consulatition with with persons with aphasia themselves, as well as SLTs, was conducted to socially validate the findings. Findings: A total of 15 sources of evidence were included. The findings reveal that persons with aphasia can make informed decisions and participate in shared decision-making if provided with appropriate strategies and supports. However, the predominance of clinician-led decision-making and the exclusion of persons with aphasia from involvement in shared decision-making processes is still evident. This exclusion is evident across all clinical contexts in which persons with aphasia interact and is particularly exacerbated in acute and subacute healthcare settings.  Conclusion: Persons with aphasia are notably excluded from shared decision-making. As such, the use of communication supports and a person-centred approach is imperative in allowing persons with aphasia to be involved in processes pertaining to their healthcare, such as shared decision-making. 
Language

English

Conference

GCPCC

GCPCC Code

PCC203

Lecturers

Profile image for Bahale Mehale

Bahale Mehale Presenter

Speech and Language Pathologist
Stellenbosch University

Bahale Mehale, Juan Bornman, Gouwa Dawood