The most frequent consequence of a stroke is a communication impairment. When patients cannot articulate their needs, frustration and agitation are frequent responses, often resulting in poor optimization of post-stroke function. Staff's lack of knowledge of communication strategies exacerbates the problem. A key component of patient-centred care is the ability of staff to communicate in such a way that allows them to understand the patient's needs. Members of our team developed the patient-centred communication intervention (PCCI) targeting registered and unregulated staff caring for complex continuing care (CCC) patients with communication impairments post stroke. The purpose of the study is to examine if the PCCI results in improved patients' quality of life and in improved staff attitudes and skills in caring for patients with communication impairments.

Patients:

Inclusion Criteria

• diagnosis of stroke related to cerebral infarct
• presence of a communication impairment
• ability to speak and understand English before the stroke
• ability to consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• global aphasia or severe Wernicke's aphasia

Staff:

Inclusion Criteria

• directly involved in providing care
• employed full or part-time
• ability to consent
• ability to speak and write English
• work with patients who have communication impairments

Exclusion Criteria

• unwilling to provide informed consent