This study aims to determine the impact of a collaborative approach to training law enforcement officers and first responders about aphasia including their knowledge and confidence in communicating with individuals with aphasia that they may encounter in the field. 75 participants employed as a first responder or law enforcement officer or affiliated personnel in the state of Wisconsin will be enrolled and can expect to be on study for up to 6 months.
The investigators will partner with Wisconsin agencies to provide training and programming to law enforcement officers and first responders. Training will include direct teaching, aphasia simulations, scenario-based training and a panel with persons with aphasia with the goal of increasing confidence for law enforcement officers and first responders providing services to and communicating with persons with aphasia. This study may include an online module for training with the same content as in-person training to increase access to employees across shifts and geographic areas of Wisconsin. Participants will take 3 surveys over 6 months.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
75
Training will include direct teaching, aphasia simulations, scenario-based training and a panel with persons with aphasia with the goal of increasing confidence for law enforcement officers and first responders providing services to and communicating with persons with aphasia.
University of Wisconsin
Madison, Wisconsin, United States
First Responder Aphasia Training Score
Two items scored from 1 (very confident) to 4 (not confident) where lower scores indicate increased confidence in communication with a person with Aphasia.
Time frame: pre-test (baseline), post-test (after 1 day of training)
First Responder Aphasia Training Score
Two items scored from 1 (never), 2 (a few times), 3 (regularly), 4 (I'm not sure) about whether they have interacted with a person with Aphasia in their professional and personal lives.
Time frame: pre-test (baseline), 3 to 6 month follow-up
First Responder Strategies for Aphasia
First responders are to list 10 strategies for competence, understanding, and expression in communicating with a person with Aphasia. Count of correct strategies will be reported.
Time frame: pre-test (baseline), post-test (after 1 day of training), 3 to 6 month follow-up
First Responder Confidence in Communication Score
Scored from 1 (very uncomfortable) to 5 (very comfortable), with higher scores indicating higher confidence.
Time frame: pre-test (baseline), post-test (after 1 day of training), 3 to 6 month follow-up
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