Defense Date

7-1-2019

Graduation Date

Summer 8-10-2019

Availability

Immediate Access

Submission Type

thesis

Degree Name

MA

Department

Speech-Language Pathology (SLP)

School

Rangos School of Health Sciences

Committee Chair

Dr. Sarah E. Wallace

Committee Member

Dr. Erica Beidler

Committee Member

Mrs. Caterina Staltari

Keywords

Right Hemisphere Disorder, Carer, Information Needs, Stroke

Abstract

Background: Previous studies have explored information needs for carers of persons with aphasia; however, there is minimal research on information needs of carers with right hemisphere disorder (RHD). RHD describes cognitive and communication impairments a person experiences following a right hemisphere stroke or brain injury. Carers have an important role in rehabilitation and the long-term quality of life of a person with RHD. This study explores the information needs for carers following a family member’s right hemisphere stroke throughout different periods of recovery.

Methods/Procedures: Participants completed online surveys and a semi-structured phone interview. Analysis of the interviews revealed four major themes in the onset phase, three major themes in the initial rehabilitation phase, and six major themes in the chronic phase.

Conclusions: Results suggest the importance of thinking about the delivery of information to carers, the timing of this information, and type of information based on the recovery phase.

Language

English

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