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JCPSLP
Volume 17, Number 2 2015
Journal of Clinical Practice in Speech-Language Pathology
approach (purposive sampling) allows researchers to recruit
participants with particular characteristics which will allow
them to answer the research questions (Guarte & Barrios,
2007).
Four male Australian residents with TBI, and two female
significant others (wife and defacto partner) participated in
the study. Three of the four men sustained a TBI through
a motor vehicle accident, the other following a physical
assault. Two of the male participants had returned to work
following their TBI, however only one was employed in his
previous capacity (see Table 1).
Data collection
PWTBI and their SOs completed online surveys (available
on request) prior to attending an in-person interview with
two researchers. The surveys were first piloted with speech
pathologists with extensive clinical and research experience
in the field of TBI, and further refined through the ethics
application process. Participants were informed that
assistance from a SO was permitted during survey
completion to mitigate any potential difficulties experienced
as a result of cognitive-communication or literacy
impairments. Surveys were completed online through the
web-based generator Survey Monkey.
Semi-structured interviews (30–45mins) were conducted,
with one interview taking place at the University of Queensland
campus and the remaining five via teleconference. These
interviews aimed to qualitatively explore the continuum of
care experienced by adults with a brain injury, employing a
topic list to ensure coverage of all relevant areas. Interviews
were audio recorded for later analysis. Ethical clearance for
this study was granted by the University of Queensland’s
Behavioural and Social Sciences Ethical Review Committee.
Interpretive phenomenology is a research methodology that
aims to analyse the significance of participant experiences
and offer insight into their own interpretation and
comprehension of these experiences (Tuohy, Cooney,
Dowling, Murphy, & Sixsmith, 2013). This methodology
allows the researcher to evaluate the data using qualitative
analysis, while still preserving objectivity and rigour. This is
achieved through a process known as “bracketing”, whereby
the everyday assumptions, attitudes, and prejudices of the
researchers are put aside to focus on describing the
participants’ experiences of the phenomenon in its purest
form (Tuohy et al., 2013). Interpretive phenomenology
allows the participants’ experiences to be classified under
general themes and summarised with the use of key quotes
that clarify each individual’s experience (Ivey, 2013). The use
of this coding system permits a level of insight into the key
issues experienced by persons with a TBI and their
significant others (SO) while accessing SLP services.
Participants
Two groups of participants were recruited for the project: (a)
adults of working age (18–65 years) who sustained a severe
TBI between 1998 and 2012 and who had accessed SLP
services following injury and (b) their nominated significant
other. An invitation to participate in the study was
disseminated via the e-newsletter and Facebook page of
Synapse (formally The Brain Injury Association of
Queensland), a disability organisation for those living with
acquired brain injury. The organisation is based in
Queensland, but is able to be accessed nationwide,
thereby providing reach to individuals throughout Australia.
Purposive sampling was also used to assist in recruitment
of individuals from states other than Queensland. This
Anna M. Copley
(top), and Naomi
A. MacBean.
Alastair D.
McRae photo
not supplied
Table 1: Participant details
Pseudonym Age Gender Time
since
injury
Location Role
Employment
status pre
TBI
Employment
status post
TBI
Stage of recovery where SP
was accessed
Gordon
26 Male
1 year
Vic
Person
with a TBI
Employed
Employed
Intensive care, inpatient
rehabilitation, outpatient
rehabilitation
Thomas
42 Male
15
years
Vic
Person
with a TBI
Employed
Unemployed
– Studying
Live-in rehabilitation
Mitchell
33 Male
7 years Qld
Person
with a TBI
Employed
Employed at
family firm
Intensive care, inpatient
rehabilitation, live-in
rehabilitation (biru), outpatient
rehabilitation, ongoing
rehabilitation
Mary
60 Female 2 years Qld
Significant
other
Employed
Retired
Outpatient rehabilitation, ongoing
rehabilitation
Trevor
34 Male
1 year
Qld
Person
with a TBI
Employed
Unemployed
– on a
disability
pension
Inpatient rehabilitation,
outpatient rehabilitation, ongoing
rehabilitation
Samantha
27 Female 1 year
Qld
Significant
other
Employed
Unemployed
– on a
disability
pension
Inpatient rehabilitation,
outpatient rehabilitation, ongoing
rehabilitation
Note.
Pseudonyms have been used to maximise participant privacy and confidentiality.