Of the 300,000 people in Australia with communication disability, 31% report unmet communication needs. Sarah's research is driven by a desire to give these people a voice.
Sarah is an NHMRC Emerging Leadership Fellow, a Lecturer in Speech Pathology, and a Certified Practising Speech Pathologist. Her research interests include communication disability in ageing and enabling and measuring meaningful change in post-stroke (language/communication impairment following stroke) aphasia. She uses qualitative and mixed methods to explore the lived experience of communication disability, and works in partnership with consumers and clinicians to co-produce clinical interventions and methodological approaches that support the production of meaningful outcomes.
Journal Article: The complexities of shared decision making in aged care
Scarinci, Nerina , Holm, Alison , Toressi, Kym and Wallace, Sarah (2022). The complexities of shared decision making in aged care. Journal of Clinical Practice in Speech-Language Pathology, 24 (2), 96-99.
Journal Article: Exploring dimensions of quality-of-life in survivors of stroke with communication disabilities – a brief report
Thayabaranathan, T., Baker, C., Andrew, N. E., Stolwyk, R., Thrift, A. G., Carter, H., Moss, K., Kim, J., Wallace, S. J., Brogan, E., Grimley, R., Lannin, N. A., Rose, M. L. and Cadilhac, D. A. (2022). Exploring dimensions of quality-of-life in survivors of stroke with communication disabilities – a brief report. Topics in Stroke Rehabilitation, 1-6. doi: 10.1080/10749357.2022.2095087
Journal Article: “Self-management has to be the way of the future”: exploring the perspectives of speech-language pathologists who work with people with aphasia.
Nichol, Leana , Rodriguez, Amy D. , Pitt, Rachelle , Wallace, Sarah J. and Hill, Annie J. (2022). “Self-management has to be the way of the future”: exploring the perspectives of speech-language pathologists who work with people with aphasia.. International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 1-15. doi: 10.1080/17549507.2022.2055144
(2022–2023) National Institute for Health Research UK
Improving Conversations about Care through Experience-Based Co-Design
(2021–2023) University of New South Wales
Measuring, Monitoring, and Motivating Adherence to Self-Managed Aphasia Treatment
(2021–2023) NHMRC MRFF - Cardiovascular Health Mission
Prognostication in post-stroke aphasia
(2022) Doctor Philosophy
Aphasia Centre Science: Co-designing the Queensland Aphasia Rehabilitation Centre
Doctor Philosophy
Measuring what matters: Establishing clinically relevant benchmarks of change in post-stroke aphasia research and improving the ability to undertake economic evaluations.
Doctor Philosophy
Measuring, Monitoring, and Motivating Adherence to Self-Managed Aphasia Treatment.
Background: In Australia, a stroke occurs every 19 minutes and a third of survivors will have aphasia—impaired language and communication. Aphasia negatively impacts quality of life to a greater extent than dementia or cancer, yet there is no long-term solution to improving survivorship for this population.
Self-management is a model of care that empowers survivors to actively participate in and take responsibility for the management of their health. This approach has the potential to improve survivorship for people with aphasia, however existing programs are not tailored to their needs.
This PhD research aims to empower stroke survivors with aphasia to successfully self-manage their long-term recovery through co-design, development, and evaluation of a novel mobile health smartphone application that motivates adherence to real-life, self-managed Comprehensive, High-dose Aphasia Treatment (lifeCHAT).
There are two projects available:
1. Using Experience-Based Co-Design and behaviour change theory you will identify the factors that enable adherence to comprehensive, high-dose, self-managed aphasia treatment. In partnership with consumers and clinicians, you will co-create and trial an accessible mobile solution that motivates survivors to meet treatment targets, manage their recovery, and optimise outcomes. The student: This project would suit a student with a background speech pathology. There is no earmarked funding for this PhD project. The student would be supported to apply for a UQ-funded scholarship via a competitive process.
2. Using Experience-Based Co-Design and behaviour change theory you will identify the factors in the design of a technology that enable adherence to comprehensive, high-dose, self-managed aphasia treatment that also meets the needs of other stakeholders such as therapists and care partners. In partnership with consumers (people living with aphasia and their care partners) and clinicians, you will co-create and trial an accessible mobile solution that motivates survivors to meet treatment targets, manage their recovery, and optimise outcomes. The student: This project would suit a student with a background in technology design and/or human-computer interaction. Some background with mobile app development is preferred but not essential.
Lead supervisors for further information: Dr Sarah Wallace (s.wallace3@uq.edu.au ); Dr Megan Isaacs, Dr Peter Worthy.
What makes aphasia therapy satisfying? Development a patient-reported outcome measure of Experience and Satisfaction with Aphasia Therapy (ESAT)
Background: Patient experience and satisfaction with the care they have received is well established as a main criterion of quality in healthcare. Patient experience is linked to clinical effectiveness and clinical safety, including positive associations with self-rated and objectively measured health outcomes and adherence to recommended clinical practice. In the field of stroke and aphasia, patient satisfaction is also considered a key outcome. Stroke is the most common cause of adult disability in the western world. About 1/3 of people with stroke will have aphasia, a devastating communication impairment that affects all aspects of communication, including speaking, understanding what others say, reading and writing. A recent international research project explored the outcomes that are most important in aphasia therapy. Eighty aphasia researchers, 265 aphasia clinicians and 53 managers from 25 countries took part in an e-Delphi consensus exercise: patient-reported satisfaction with aphasia therapy was selected as one of the most important outcomes of treatment and clinical effectiveness research. In a linked international project, people with aphasia and their families identified outcomes relating to the quality of health services as essential in improving their lives with aphasia. This research by Wallace and her colleagues on the outcomes of most importance to people with aphasia, their families and aphasia clinicians and researchers led to the development of a Core Outcome Set (COS) for people with aphasia. A COS is a minimum set of outcomes that should be included in all clinical effectiveness studies. The inclusion of a minimum set of outcomes in effectiveness studies facilitates data aggregation and comparison across studies, allowing results to be used with maximum efficiency in systematic reviews and meta-analyses. The consensus work by Wallace et al. identified that the COS for aphasia should include a measure to assess patient satisfaction with aphasia therapy; yet no measure was identified for this outcome. The need to develop a patient-reported outcome measure of satisfaction with aphasia therapy was raised as a key research priority. This project addresses this need by undertaking the necessary theoretical work and consultation with people with aphasia to devela patient-reported outcome measure of Experience and Satisfaction with Aphasia Therapy (ESAT).
Aims: This project aims to better understand what makes therapy satisfying for people with post-stroke aphasia (language disability) and use this information to develop an outcome measure and inform clinical practice. There are three objectives:
1. Synthesise the existing evidence on people with aphasia’s experience and satisfaction with aphasia therapy
2. Explore people with aphasia’s views on satisfaction with therapy based on their expectations and experience
3. Develop a patient-reported outcome measure of Experience and Satisfaction with Aphasia Therapy (ESAT).
Supervisory team: Dr Sarah Wallace, Professor Katerina Hilari (City, University of London), Dr Sarah Northcott (City, Univeristy of London)
Improving Conversations about Care through Experience-Based Co-Design.
Background: Communication difficulties are amongst the most common and devastating symptoms of dementia. Over time, a person with dementia may have trouble expressing their needs, wants, and feelings; limiting their ability to communicate choice, provide feedback, and raise concerns. People with dementia rely heavily on aged care services. The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety has brought to light ‘shameful’ stories of sub-standard care, abuse, and neglect, and has highlighted widespread community dissatisfaction with a disempowering complaints system. This is particularly concerning for people with dementia who comprise more than half of aged care recipients, are at higher risk of abuse, and who may have difficulty communicating their concerns. No research has examined how people with dementia and associated communication disability can be supported to authentically engage with feedback and complaints mechanisms. This project will use experience-based co-design to develop a suite of resources that support people with dementia to provide feedback, raise complaints, and engage in important conversations about care. Across three phases of research, we will work in partnership with people with dementia, their families, carers, health professionals, and care managers to ensure that resources can be meaningfully and feasibly implemented in residential and community aged care settings.
The student: This project would suit a student with a background in speech pathology. There is no earmarked funding for this PhD project. The student would be supported to apply for a UQ-funded scholarship via a competitive process.
Lead supervisors for further information: Dr Sarah Wallace (s.wallace3@uq.edu.au ), A/Prof Anthony Angwin.
Treatment efficacy and therapy outcomes
Wallace, Sarah J., Shrubsole, Kirstine and Brady, Marian C. (2021). Treatment efficacy and therapy outcomes. Aphasia and related neurogenic communication disorders. (pp. 129-158) edited by Ilias Papathanasiou, Patrick Coppens and Constantin Potagas. Burlington, MA, United States: Jones and Bartlett Learning.
Worrall, Linda, Rose, Tanya, Brandenburg, Caitlin, Rohde, Alexia, Berg, Karianne and Wallace, Sarah J. (2016). Aphasia in later life. Encyclopedia of Geropsychology. (pp. 1-7) edited by A. N. Pachana. Singapore: Springer Singapore. doi: 10.1007/978-981-287-080-3_346-1
The complexities of shared decision making in aged care
Scarinci, Nerina , Holm, Alison , Toressi, Kym and Wallace, Sarah (2022). The complexities of shared decision making in aged care. Journal of Clinical Practice in Speech-Language Pathology, 24 (2), 96-99.
Thayabaranathan, T., Baker, C., Andrew, N. E., Stolwyk, R., Thrift, A. G., Carter, H., Moss, K., Kim, J., Wallace, S. J., Brogan, E., Grimley, R., Lannin, N. A., Rose, M. L. and Cadilhac, D. A. (2022). Exploring dimensions of quality-of-life in survivors of stroke with communication disabilities – a brief report. Topics in Stroke Rehabilitation, 1-6. doi: 10.1080/10749357.2022.2095087
Nichol, Leana , Rodriguez, Amy D. , Pitt, Rachelle , Wallace, Sarah J. and Hill, Annie J. (2022). “Self-management has to be the way of the future”: exploring the perspectives of speech-language pathologists who work with people with aphasia.. International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 1-15. doi: 10.1080/17549507.2022.2055144
Cheng, B. B. Y., Ryan, B. J., Copland, D. A. and Wallace, S.J. (2022). Prognostication in post-stroke aphasia: perspectives of people with aphasia on receiving information about recovery. Neuropsychological Rehabilitation, 1-32. doi: 10.1080/09602011.2022.2051565
Development of a minimum dataset for subacute rehabilitation: a three-round e-Delphi consensus study
Young, Adrienne M., Chung, Hannah, Chaplain, Alicia, Lowe, Joshua R., STARS Rehabilitation Dataset Development Group and Wallace, Sarah J. (2022). Development of a minimum dataset for subacute rehabilitation: a three-round e-Delphi consensus study. BMJ Open, 12 (3) e058725, e058725. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-058725
Operationalising treatment success in aphasia rehabilitation
Breitenstein, Caterina, Hilari, Katerina, Menahemi-Falkov, Maya, Rose, Miranda L., Wallace, Sarah J., Brady, Marian C., Hillis, Argye E., Kiran, Swathi, Szaflarski, Jerzy P., Donna C. Tippett, Evy Visch-Brink and Klaus Willmes (2022). Operationalising treatment success in aphasia rehabilitation. Aphasiology, 1-40. doi: 10.1080/02687038.2021.2016594
Nichol, Leana, Pitt, Rachelle, Wallace, Sarah J., Rodriguez, Amy D. and Hill, Annie J. (2022). “There are endless areas that they can use it for”: speech-language pathologist perspectives of technology support for aphasia self-management. Disability and Rehabilitation Assistive Technology, 1-16. doi: 10.1080/17483107.2022.2037758
Cheng, Bonnie B. Y., Ryan, Brooke J., Copland, David A and Wallace, Sarah J (2022). Prognostication in poststroke aphasia: perspectives of significant others of people with aphasia on receiving information about recovery. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 31 (2), 1-16. doi: 10.1044/2021_AJSLP-21-00170
Minimum data and core outcomes for subacute rehabilitation: A scoping review
Lowe, Joshua R., Wallace, Sarah J., Sam, Sonia and Young, Adrienne (2021). Minimum data and core outcomes for subacute rehabilitation: A scoping review. Clinical Rehabilitation, 36 (3), 1-19. doi: 10.1177/02692155211060468
Using experience-based codesign to coproduce aphasia rehabilitation services: study protocol
Anemaat, Lisa, Palmer, Victoria J., Copland, David A., Mainstone, Kathryn, Druery, Kent, Druery, Julia, Aisthorpe, Bruce, Binge, Geoffrey, Mainstone, Penelope and Wallace, Sarah J. (2021). Using experience-based codesign to coproduce aphasia rehabilitation services: study protocol. BMJ Open, 11 (11) 047398, e047398. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-047398
Nichol, Leana, Wallace, Sarah J., Pitt, Rachelle, Rodriguez, Amy D., Diong, Zhi Zhi and Hill, Annie J. (2021). People with aphasia share their views on self-management and the role of technology to support self-management of aphasia. Disability and Rehabilitation, 1-14. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2021.1989501
Wallace, Sarah J., Sullivan, Bridget, Rose, Tanya A., Worrall, Linda, Le Dorze, Guylaine and Shrubsole, Kirstine (2021). Core outcome set use in poststroke aphasia treatment research: examining barriers and facilitators to implementation using the theoretical domains framework. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 64 (10), 1-14. doi: 10.1044/2021_jslhr-20-00683
An aphasia research agenda – a consensus statement from the collaboration of aphasia trialists
Ali, Myzoon, Soroli, Efstathia, Jesus, Luis M. T., Cruice, Madeline, Isaksen, Jytte, Visch-Brink, Evy, Grohmann, Kleanthes K., Jagoe, C., Kukkonen, Tarja, Varlokosta, Spyridoula, Hernandez-Sacristan, Carlos, Rosell-Clari, Vicente, Palmer, Rebecca, Martinez-Ferreiro, Silvia, Godecke, Erin, Wallace, Sarah J., McMenamin, Ruth, Copland, David, Breitenstein, Caterina, Bowen, Audrey, Laska, Ann-Charlotte, Hilari, Katerina, Brady, Marian C. and behalf of the Collaboration of Aphasia Trialists (CATs) (2021). An aphasia research agenda – a consensus statement from the collaboration of aphasia trialists. Aphasiology, 36 (4), 1-20. doi: 10.1080/02687038.2021.1957081
Ali, M., Ben Basat, A. Lifshitz, Berthier, M., Blom Johansson, M., Breitenstein, C., Cadilhac, D. A., Constantinidou, F., Cruice, M., Davila, G., Gandolfi, M., Gil, M., Grima, R., Godecke, E., Jesus, L., Jiminez, L. Martinez, Kambanaros, M., Kukkonen, T., Laska, A., Mavis, I., Mc Menamin, R., Mendez-Orellana, C., Obrig, H., Ostberg, P., Robson, H., Sage, K., Van De Sandt-Koenderman, M., Sprecht, K., Visch-Brink, E., Wehling, E. ... Brady, M. C. (2021). Protocol for the development of the international population registry for aphasia after stroke (I-PRAISE). Aphasiology, 36 (4), 1-21. doi: 10.1080/02687038.2021.1914813
Cheng, Bonnie B. Y., Ryan, Brooke, Copland, David A. and Wallace, Sarah J. (2021). Prognostication in post-stroke aphasia: speech pathologists’ clinical insights on formulating and delivering information about recovery. Disability and Rehabilitation, 1-14. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2021.1922514
Wallace, Sarah J., Kothari, Janaki, Jayasekera, Anushki, Tointon, Jessica, Baiyewun, Toluwalase and Shrubsole, Kirstine (2021). Do caregivers who connect online have better outcomes? A systematic review of online peer-support interventions for caregivers of people with stroke, dementia, traumatic brain injury, Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis. Brain Impairment, 22 (3), 233-259. doi: 10.1017/brimp.2021.5
Nichol, Leana, Wallace, Sarah J., Pitt, Rachelle, Rodriguez, Amy D. and Hill, Annie J. (2021). Communication partner perspectives of aphasia self-management and the role of technology: an in-depth qualitative exploration. Disability and Rehabilitation, 1-18. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2021.1988153
Many ways of measuring: a scoping review of measurement instruments for use with people with aphasia
Wallace, Sarah J., Worrall, Linda, Le Dorze, Guylaine, Brandenburg, Caitlin, Foulkes, Jessica and Rose, Tanya A. (2020). Many ways of measuring: a scoping review of measurement instruments for use with people with aphasia. Aphasiology, 36 (4), 1-66. doi: 10.1080/02687038.2020.1836318
Berg, Karianne, Isaksen, Jytte, Wallace, Sarah J., Cruice, Madeline, Simmons-Mackie, Nina and Worrall, Linda (2020). Establishing consensus on a definition of aphasia: an e-Delphi study of international aphasia researchers. Aphasiology, 36 (4), 1-16. doi: 10.1080/02687038.2020.1852003
Wallace, Sarah J., Mathew, Akhila, Mandrusiak, Allison and Hatton, Anna (2020). A single, early aged care experience improves speech-language pathology students’ attitudes towards older people, communication confidence, and career aspirations in aged care. International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 23 (3), 1-11. doi: 10.1080/17549507.2020.1779346
Cheng, Bonnie B. Y., Worrall, Linda E., Copland, David A. and Wallace, Sarah J. (2020). Prognostication in post‐stroke aphasia: how do speech pathologists formulate and deliver information about recovery?. International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders, 55 (4) 1460-6984.12534, 520-536. doi: 10.1111/1460-6984.12534
Beyond the statistics: a research agenda in aphasia awareness
Simmons-Mackie, Nina, Worrall, Linda, Shiggins, Ciara, Isaksen, Jytte, McMenamin, Ruth, Rose, Tanya, Guo, Yiting Emily and Wallace, Sarah J. (2019). Beyond the statistics: a research agenda in aphasia awareness. Aphasiology, 34 (4), 458-471. doi: 10.1080/02687038.2019.1702847
Arnold, Hayley, Wallace, Sarah J., Ryan, Brooke, Finch, Emma and Shrubsole, Kirstine (2019). Current practice and barriers and facilitators to outcome measurement in aphasia rehabilitation: a cross-sectional study using the theoretical domains framework. Aphasiology, 34 (1), 1-23. doi: 10.1080/02687038.2019.1678090
Rose, Tanya A., Wallace, Sarah J. and Leow, Sibin (2019). Family members’ experiences and preferences for receiving aphasia information during early phases in the continuum of care. International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 21 (5), 1-13. doi: 10.1080/17549507.2019.1651396
The effectiveness of biographical approaches in long-term care: a systematic review
Menn, Lara, Corsten, Sabine, Lauer, Norina and Wallace, Sarah Jane (2019). The effectiveness of biographical approaches in long-term care: a systematic review. The Gerontologist, 60 (4), e309-e328. doi: 10.1093/geront/gnz074
Taylor, Shannon, Wallace, Sarah Jane and Wallace, Sarah Elizabeth (2019). High-technology augmentative and alternative communication in poststroke aphasia: a review of the factors that contribute to successful augmentative and alternative communication use. Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups, 4 (3), 1-10. doi: 10.1044/2019_pers-sig2-2018-0016
A how-to guide to aphasia services: celebrating Professor Linda Worrall’s contribution to the field
Wallace, Sarah J., Baker, Caroline, Brandenburg, Caitlin, Bryant, Lucy, Le Dorze, Guylaine, Power, Emma, Pritchard, Madeleine, Rose, Miranda L., Rose, Tanya, Ryan, Brooke, Shrubsole, Kirstine, Simmons-Mackie, Nina, Togher, Leanne and Trebilcock, Megan (2019). A how-to guide to aphasia services: celebrating Professor Linda Worrall’s contribution to the field. Aphasiology, 33 (7), 888-902. doi: 10.1080/02687038.2019.1609774
Self-management of aphasia: a scoping review
Nichol, Leana, Hill, Annie J., Wallace, Sarah J., Pitt, Rachelle, Baker, Caroline and Rodriguez, Amy D. (2019). Self-management of aphasia: a scoping review. Aphasiology, 33 (8), 1-40. doi: 10.1080/02687038.2019.1575065
A core outcome set for aphasia treatment research: the ROMA consensus statement
Wallace, Sarah J., Worrall, Linda, Rose, Tanya, Le Dorze, Guylaine, Breitenstein, Caterina, Hilari, Katerina, Babbitt, Edna, Bose, Arpita, Brady, Marian, Cherney, Leora R., Copland, David, Cruice, Madeline, Enderby, Pam, Hersh, Deborah, Howe, Tami, Kelly, Helen, Kiran, Swathi, Laska, Ann-Charlotte, Marshall, Jane, Nicholas, Marjorie, Patterson, Janet, Pearl, Gill, Rochon, Elizabeth, Rose, Miranda, Sage, Karen, Small, Steven and Webster, Janet (2019). A core outcome set for aphasia treatment research: the ROMA consensus statement. International Journal of Stroke, 14 (2), 180-185. doi: 10.1177/1747493018806200
Aphasia education: speech-language pathologists’ perspectives regarding current and optimal practice
Rose, Tanya A., Balse, Anita, Osmond, Sarah, Poon, Angela, Simons, Natasha and Wallace, Sarah J. (2018). Aphasia education: speech-language pathologists’ perspectives regarding current and optimal practice. Aphasiology, 32 (8), 967-988. doi: 10.1080/02687038.2018.1472366
Wallace, Sarah J., Worrall, Linda, Rose, Tanya and Le Dorze, Guylaine (2017). Using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health to identify outcome domains for a core outcome set for aphasia: a comparison of stakeholder perspectives. Disability and Rehabilitation, 41 (5), 1-10. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2017.1400593
Wallace, Sarah J., Worrall, Linda E., Rose, Tanya and Le Dorze, Guylaine (2017). Discourse measurement in aphasia research: have we reached the tipping point? A core outcome set … or greater standardisation of discourse measures?. Aphasiology, 32 (4), 479-482. doi: 10.1080/02687038.2017.1398811
Wallace, Sarah J., Worrall, Linda, Rose, Tanya, Le Dorze, Guylaine, Cruice, Madeline, Isaksen, Jytte, Pak Hin Kong, Anthony, Simmons-Mackie, Nina, Scarinci, Nerina and Alary Gauvreau, Christine (2017). Which outcomes are most important to people with aphasia and their families? An international nominal group technique study framed within the ICF. Disability and Rehabilitation, 39 (14), 1-16. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2016.1194899
Wallace, Sarah J., Worrall, Linda, Rose, Tanya and Le Dorze, Guylaine (2017). Which treatment outcomes are most important to aphasia clinicians and managers? An international e-Delphi consensus study. Aphasiology, 31 (6), 643-673. doi: 10.1080/02687038.2016.1186265
Wallace, Sarah J., Worrall, Linda E., Rose, Tanya and Le Dorze, Guylaine (2016). Core outcomes in aphasia treatment research: an e-Delphi consensus study of international aphasia researchers. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 25 (4S), S729-S742. doi: 10.1044/2016_AJSLP-15-0150
Let’s call it “aphasia”: rationales for eliminating the term “dysphasia”
Worrall, Linda, Simmons-Mackie, Nina, Wallace, Sarah J., Rose, Tanya, Brady, Marian C., Kong, Anthony Pak Hin, Murray, Laura and Hallowell, Brooke (2016). Let’s call it “aphasia”: rationales for eliminating the term “dysphasia”. International Journal of Stroke, 11 (8), 848-851. doi: 10.1177/1747493016654487
Worrall, Linda and Wallace, Sarah (2015). The ICF, Relationship-Centred Care and Research Outcome Measurement: Carol Frattali's Impact on Aphasia Research. SIG 2 Perspectives on Neurophysiology and Neurogenic Speech and Language Disorders, 25 (3), 107-113. doi: 10.1044/nnsld25.3.107
Hilari, Katerina, Klippi, Anu, Constantinidou, Fofi, Horton, Simon, Penn, Claire, Raymer, Anastasia, Wallace, Sarah, Zemva, Nada and Worrall, Linda (2015). An international perspective on quality of life in aphasia: a survey of clinician views and practices from sixteen countries. Folia Phoniatrica et Logopedia, 67 (3), 119-130. doi: 10.1159/000434748
Wallace, Sarah J., Worrall, Linda, Rose, Tanya and Le Dorze, Guylaine (2014). A good outcome for aphasia. Aphasiology, Latest articles (11), 1400-1404. doi: 10.1080/02687038.2014.935119
Wallace, Sarah J., Worrall, Linda, Rose, Tanya and Le Dorze, Guylaine (2014). Measuring outcomes in aphasia research: a review of current practice and an agenda for standardisation. Aphasiology, Latest articles (11), 1364-1384. doi: 10.1080/02687038.2014.930262
Worrall, Linda E., Howe, Tami, O'Callaghan, Anna, Hill, Anne J., Rose, Miranda, Wallace, Sarah J., Rose, Tanya, Brown, Kyla, Power, Emma, O'Halloran, Robyn and Rohde, Alexia (2013). The World Report on Disability as a blueprint for international, national, and local aphasia services. International Journal of Speech Language Pathology, 15 (1), 106-112. doi: 10.3109/17549507.2012.721004
Operationalisierung des Therapieerfolgs in der Aphasierehabilitation
Breitenstein, C., Hilari, K., Menahemi-Falkov, M., Rose, M. L., Wallace, S. J., Brady, M. C., Hillis, A. E., Kiran, S., Szaflarski, J. P., Tippett, D. C., Visch-Brink, E. and Willmes, K. (2021). Operationalisierung des Therapieerfolgs in der Aphasierehabilitation . German Society for Aphasia Research and Treatment (GAB) Conference, Germany, 7-9 October 2021. doi: 10.14624/NR21S1001
Exploring speech-language pathologists’ perspectives of aphasia self-management: a qualitative study
Nichol, Leana, Hill, Annie J., Wallace, Sarah J., Pitt, Rachelle and Rodriguez, Amy D. (2018). Exploring speech-language pathologists’ perspectives of aphasia self-management: a qualitative study. International Aphasia Rehabilitation Conference (IARC) , Aveiro, Portugal, 5-7 September 2018. Abingdon, Oxon United Kingdom: Routledge. doi: 10.1080/02687038.2018.1470603
Rose, Tanya A. and Wallace, Sarah J. (2018). Family members’ experiences and preferences for receiving aphasia information during early phases in the continuum of care. International Aphasia Rehabilitation Conference (IARC), University of Aveiro, Portugal, 5-7 September 2018. Abingdon, Oxon, United Kingdom: Routledge. doi: 10.1080/02687038.2018.1487009
Report from ROMA: an update on the development of a core outcome set for aphasia research
Wallace, Sarah J., Worrall, Linda, Rose, T., Le Dorze, G., Kirke, E. and Kolomeitz, D. (2018). Report from ROMA: an update on the development of a core outcome set for aphasia research. 18th International Aphasia Rehabilitation Conference (IARC), Aveiro, Portugal, 5-7 September 2018. Abingdon, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom: Routledge. doi: 10.1080/02687038.2018.1487020
Improving research outcome measurement in aphasia: Development of a core outcome set
Wallace, Sarah J. (2016). Improving research outcome measurement in aphasia: Development of a core outcome set. PhD Thesis, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/uql.2017.61
(2022–2023) National Institute for Health Research UK
Improving Conversations about Care through Experience-Based Co-Design
(2021–2023) University of New South Wales
Measuring, Monitoring, and Motivating Adherence to Self-Managed Aphasia Treatment
(2021–2023) NHMRC MRFF - Cardiovascular Health Mission
Co-design of a template for aphasia accessible research reporting (COTAR)
(2021–2022) Glasgow Caledonian University
Implementation of Comprehensive High-dose Aphasia Treatment (CHAT)
(2020–2025) NHMRC Partnership Projects
Driving quality improvement through Meaningful Evaluation of Aphasia SeRvicES (MEASuRES)
(2020–2024) NHMRC Investigator Grants
Aphasia Centre Science: Co-designing the Queensland Aphasia Rehabilitation Centre
Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
Measuring what matters: Establishing clinically relevant benchmarks of change in post-stroke aphasia research and improving the ability to undertake economic evaluations.
Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Measuring Conversation in Aphasia: Development of an Outcome Measure
Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Describing the delivery and outcomes of post-stroke aphasia rehabilitation in Australia using a minimum dataset
Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
Assessing Cognitive Communication Disorders in the Paediatric Population following Traumatic Brain Injury
Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
International Aphasia Awareness Agenda - What outcomes do aphasia consumer organizations want from aphasia awareness and who are the target audiences?
Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
How can we help people with aphasia return to driving following stroke?
Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
Prognostication in post-stroke aphasia
(2022) Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
Self-management of aphasia: building and supporting a communication infrastructure
(2022) Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
Note for students: The possible research projects listed on this page may not be comprehensive or up to date. Always feel free to contact the staff for more information, and also with your own research ideas.
Measuring, Monitoring, and Motivating Adherence to Self-Managed Aphasia Treatment.
Background: In Australia, a stroke occurs every 19 minutes and a third of survivors will have aphasia—impaired language and communication. Aphasia negatively impacts quality of life to a greater extent than dementia or cancer, yet there is no long-term solution to improving survivorship for this population.
Self-management is a model of care that empowers survivors to actively participate in and take responsibility for the management of their health. This approach has the potential to improve survivorship for people with aphasia, however existing programs are not tailored to their needs.
This PhD research aims to empower stroke survivors with aphasia to successfully self-manage their long-term recovery through co-design, development, and evaluation of a novel mobile health smartphone application that motivates adherence to real-life, self-managed Comprehensive, High-dose Aphasia Treatment (lifeCHAT).
There are two projects available:
1. Using Experience-Based Co-Design and behaviour change theory you will identify the factors that enable adherence to comprehensive, high-dose, self-managed aphasia treatment. In partnership with consumers and clinicians, you will co-create and trial an accessible mobile solution that motivates survivors to meet treatment targets, manage their recovery, and optimise outcomes. The student: This project would suit a student with a background speech pathology. There is no earmarked funding for this PhD project. The student would be supported to apply for a UQ-funded scholarship via a competitive process.
2. Using Experience-Based Co-Design and behaviour change theory you will identify the factors in the design of a technology that enable adherence to comprehensive, high-dose, self-managed aphasia treatment that also meets the needs of other stakeholders such as therapists and care partners. In partnership with consumers (people living with aphasia and their care partners) and clinicians, you will co-create and trial an accessible mobile solution that motivates survivors to meet treatment targets, manage their recovery, and optimise outcomes. The student: This project would suit a student with a background in technology design and/or human-computer interaction. Some background with mobile app development is preferred but not essential.
Lead supervisors for further information: Dr Sarah Wallace (s.wallace3@uq.edu.au ); Dr Megan Isaacs, Dr Peter Worthy.
What makes aphasia therapy satisfying? Development a patient-reported outcome measure of Experience and Satisfaction with Aphasia Therapy (ESAT)
Background: Patient experience and satisfaction with the care they have received is well established as a main criterion of quality in healthcare. Patient experience is linked to clinical effectiveness and clinical safety, including positive associations with self-rated and objectively measured health outcomes and adherence to recommended clinical practice. In the field of stroke and aphasia, patient satisfaction is also considered a key outcome. Stroke is the most common cause of adult disability in the western world. About 1/3 of people with stroke will have aphasia, a devastating communication impairment that affects all aspects of communication, including speaking, understanding what others say, reading and writing. A recent international research project explored the outcomes that are most important in aphasia therapy. Eighty aphasia researchers, 265 aphasia clinicians and 53 managers from 25 countries took part in an e-Delphi consensus exercise: patient-reported satisfaction with aphasia therapy was selected as one of the most important outcomes of treatment and clinical effectiveness research. In a linked international project, people with aphasia and their families identified outcomes relating to the quality of health services as essential in improving their lives with aphasia. This research by Wallace and her colleagues on the outcomes of most importance to people with aphasia, their families and aphasia clinicians and researchers led to the development of a Core Outcome Set (COS) for people with aphasia. A COS is a minimum set of outcomes that should be included in all clinical effectiveness studies. The inclusion of a minimum set of outcomes in effectiveness studies facilitates data aggregation and comparison across studies, allowing results to be used with maximum efficiency in systematic reviews and meta-analyses. The consensus work by Wallace et al. identified that the COS for aphasia should include a measure to assess patient satisfaction with aphasia therapy; yet no measure was identified for this outcome. The need to develop a patient-reported outcome measure of satisfaction with aphasia therapy was raised as a key research priority. This project addresses this need by undertaking the necessary theoretical work and consultation with people with aphasia to devela patient-reported outcome measure of Experience and Satisfaction with Aphasia Therapy (ESAT).
Aims: This project aims to better understand what makes therapy satisfying for people with post-stroke aphasia (language disability) and use this information to develop an outcome measure and inform clinical practice. There are three objectives:
1. Synthesise the existing evidence on people with aphasia’s experience and satisfaction with aphasia therapy
2. Explore people with aphasia’s views on satisfaction with therapy based on their expectations and experience
3. Develop a patient-reported outcome measure of Experience and Satisfaction with Aphasia Therapy (ESAT).
Supervisory team: Dr Sarah Wallace, Professor Katerina Hilari (City, University of London), Dr Sarah Northcott (City, Univeristy of London)
Improving Conversations about Care through Experience-Based Co-Design.
Background: Communication difficulties are amongst the most common and devastating symptoms of dementia. Over time, a person with dementia may have trouble expressing their needs, wants, and feelings; limiting their ability to communicate choice, provide feedback, and raise concerns. People with dementia rely heavily on aged care services. The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety has brought to light ‘shameful’ stories of sub-standard care, abuse, and neglect, and has highlighted widespread community dissatisfaction with a disempowering complaints system. This is particularly concerning for people with dementia who comprise more than half of aged care recipients, are at higher risk of abuse, and who may have difficulty communicating their concerns. No research has examined how people with dementia and associated communication disability can be supported to authentically engage with feedback and complaints mechanisms. This project will use experience-based co-design to develop a suite of resources that support people with dementia to provide feedback, raise complaints, and engage in important conversations about care. Across three phases of research, we will work in partnership with people with dementia, their families, carers, health professionals, and care managers to ensure that resources can be meaningfully and feasibly implemented in residential and community aged care settings.
The student: This project would suit a student with a background in speech pathology. There is no earmarked funding for this PhD project. The student would be supported to apply for a UQ-funded scholarship via a competitive process.
Lead supervisors for further information: Dr Sarah Wallace (s.wallace3@uq.edu.au ), A/Prof Anthony Angwin.