Introduction: People with acquired brain injury (ABI) experience challenges in conversations. Upskilling communication partners (CP) in using supportive communication strategies promotes successful interactions and is recommended best practice. However, there are challenges in accessing communication partner training (CPT). This study evaluated a self-guided online program called interact-ABI-lity, which aimed to improve confidence and knowledge of CP of people with ABI.
Aim: To investigate whether interact-ABI-lity improved confidence and knowledge to interact with people with ABI.
Methods: This study utilises a prospective, experimental case series design. A mixed methods approach included a demographics questionnaire, a knowledge and confidence questionnaire (administered pre, post, 3-month follow-up), and open-ended questions about course content and recommendations for course improvement. Quantitative data were analysed with Wilcoxon’s signed-rank test and McNemar test and qualitative data were analysed with inductive content analysis.
Results: A total of 851 participants enrolled to participate in the study and 369 completed interact-ABI-lity. A total of 37 participants completed the 3-month follow-up questionnaire. There was a significant increase from pre-course to post-course in self-reported confidence in interacting with people with ABI (pre: median rating = 3/5, post: median rating = 4/5, p < .001). Confidence was maintained at 3-month follow-up (p = .808). There was significant improvement (p < .001) on 10/12 (83.33%) knowledge questions from pre-course to post-course. Knowledge was maintained at 3-month follow-up. Qualitative analysis found that participants described the positive impact of training on their interactions and they reported sharing their learning with others. Participants identified valued components of the course and recommendations for improvement.
Conclusions: interact-ABI-lity enhanced CP confidence and knowledge to interact with people with ABI. Further research is needed to assess the validity of outcome measures evaluating knowledge and confidence, and whether interact-ABI-lity can effectively transfer knowledge of communication strategies with people with ABI in real-world contexts.