Article

The aim of the study was to explore the communication experiences of key
communications partners (CPs) of individuals receiving home mechanical
ventilation (HMV), with particular emphasis on the possibilities, difficulties
and limitations CPs experienced in communication, possible support given to
facilitate communication and exploring what made a skilled communicator. METHOD:
A qualitative research design using interviews was used. The participants
included 19 key CPs of individuals receiving HMV. RESULTS: The analysis resulted
in five themes: Encountering communication limitations, Functional communication
strategies, Being a communication facilitator, Role insecurity and Emotional
reactions and coping. The findings revealed that CPs needed to develop partly new
reference frames for communication. In particular, participants emphasised the
need to understand and interpret subtle details in the communicative interaction.
CONCLUSIONS: The findings are discussed in the light of previous research, in
particular an earlier study exploring another perspective; the
ventilator-supported individuals' experiences of communication. Issues relating
to the educational needs of CPs of individuals receiving HMV are discussed. The
results are intended to enhance understanding of the challenges that individuals
receiving HMV and their CPs face with communication, which should be of relevance
not only to speech therapists, but for all healthcare practitioners in the field
of HMV.

Langue : ANGLAIS