Chitrali Mamlekar

Chitrali MamlekarCommunication Sciences and Disorders (University of Cincinnati)

mamlekcr@mail.uc.edu

Background: Prior to joining the doctoral program, I worked as a speech language pathologist at several medical settings in India. The case load mainly included stroke-survivors. It was always a challenge for me to determine the appropriate AAC devices that can benefit the patients in acute care settings. Usually, I would make a communication board which could address the needs of the patients. My area of interest is in understanding how to incorporate high tech AAC devices in the medical settings. I realized there were limited resources available to address the question. I expect that the doctoral program will help me to understand how AAC works in the medical settings.

Current Interests: My current focus is on understanding the benefits of implementing speech generating devices and the obstacles experienced by the SLPs in implementation of AAC in the hospital settings and how to address these challenges.

Sample Presentation/Publication: As this is my first year in the PhD program, I have began working on my very first research study which focuses on understanding the perspectives of SLPs on using speech generating devices for adults with complex communication needs in the medical settings. This is a qualitative research study which attempts to answer how SGDs facilitators and barriers play a role in successful implementation in the medical settings.

Dissertation Chair: Dr Aimee Dietz

Topic of Presentation: Perspectives of speech language pathologist on speech generating devices for person with aphasia in hospital settings

Discussion starters:

1) AAC intervention in the ICUs and rehabilitation hospitals may vary extensively considering the patients they serve so what would be the pros and cons of comparing the use of SGDs in different medical settings to just asking about one medical settings?

2) The SLPs that will be interviewed will be general practice SLPs. It would be very difficult to find an AAC specialist in the hospital settings. An AAC specialist may do things differently than the general practice SLPs. How could we shape the questions to expand understanding regarding the barriers faced by the SLPs in implementing the SGDs?

3)Traditionally low tech/ unaided AAC are been used in the hospital settings, however there are many AAC speech generating mobile technologies which are currently available. Should we try to modify the questions to examine these specific challenges or just challenges of implementing SGDs?

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