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JCPSLP Volume 17, Number 2 2015 59
settings. Each interview was recorded and transcribed
verbatim. Interviews ranged in duration from 26 to 67
minutes ( M = 39; SD = 14.1). The accuracy of the
transcriptions was checked by a second analyst. All
interviews were conducted by the primary author (MB).
Data analysis
Each transcribed interview was analysed by two speech
pathologists, the first and fourth authors, guided by the
systematic stages of the framework approach to qualitative
analysis (Ritchie & Spencer, 1994). The framework
approach provides transparency in qualitative analysis
through the use of explicit stages, reducing bias and
increasing the credibility of the interpretations (Pope,
Ziebland, & Mays, 2000; Rabiee, 2004). Throughout
analysis, both inductive and deductive methods of enquiry
were used to address questions underpinning the research
aims while remaining open to new concepts and ideas
evident in the data (Pope et al., 2000; Ritchie & Spencer,
1994). An outline of the stages of analysis is provided in
Table 1.
To increase the accuracy of the analysis, member
checking was completed following analysis of the interview
data. Member checking provided participants with the
opportunity to review and comment on the interpretation
of the data and to answer any additional questions arising
from the analysis (Hoffart, 1991). Completed member
checking documents were received from 8 out of the
10 participants, showing majority agreement with all key
themes identified.
Results
Three key themes were identified: 1) there are mixed views
about the importance of communication management in
residential aged care; 2) communication management in
residential aged care is limited and impacted by numerous
factors; and 3) speech pathologists have a desire to
advance communication management in residential aged
care.
Theme 1: There are mixed views about
the importance of communication
management in residential aged care
Participants expressed disparate views about the
importance of communication management in residential
aged care. Some participants viewed communication
management as being of high importance and “intrinsic to
all needs” (Participant 1). Other participants reported a
belief that communication management is not as important
as managing swallowing difficulties, “communication not as
important, they need to be able to communicate basic
needs … nothing we can do for severe communication
difficulties” (Participant 2).
Despite expressing different views about the importance
of communication management in residential aged care,
most participants commented that social interaction is a
key determinant of residents’ quality of life. Participants
emphasised the importance of taking a genuine interest
in each resident as an individual, treating residents with
compassion and dignity, and providing residents with
opportunities for social interaction. In doing so, one
participant commented, “with the knowledge speech
pathologists have of different speech and language
difficulties, and you know, strategies and facilitation
techniques to improve social interaction, there’s just
enormous potential in nursing homes” (Participant 8).
Method
Research strategy and participants
Permission for this study was granted by the Behavioural
and Social Sciences Ethical Research Committee of The
University of Queensland. With little past research in the
area, qualitative descriptive methodology was chosen to
explore the perceptions of 10 speech pathologists working
in aged care, summarising participant perspectives using
their everyday language (Sandelowski, 2000). Participants
were recruited through the public directory of speech
pathologists provided on The Speech Pathology
Association of Australia website (The Speech Pathology
Association of Australia Ltd, n.d). All participants were
female, aged between 23 and 63 years (M = 46; SD =
15.7), and currently working in residential aged-care
settings. Participants had worked in residential aged care
for between 9 months and 21 years (M = 13.7; SD = 11.3).
Of the 10 participants, three worked in public speech
pathology services and seven worked in private practice.
Procedure
Individual in-depth semi-structured interviews were
conducted with each of the participants. A semi-structured
interview guide was used to ensure key topics of enquiry
were addressed across participants, while providing
flexibility to enable new topics to emerge during data
collection (Patton, 2002). Interviews were conducted either
face-to-face or via telephone, at a time convenient to the
participant. During the interview participants were asked to
comment about: 1) the value of communication assessment
and intervention in residential aged care; 2) the nature and
frequency of communication assessment and intervention
in residential aged care; and 3) education and support they
had received pre- and post-qualification relevant to
communication management in residential aged-care
Nerina A.
Scarinci (top),
and Monique C.
Waite
Table 1. Steps of data analysis
Step Description
Familiarisation Each transcript was read and re-read by
the first and fourth authors in its entirety, to
familiarise the analysts with the data and to
identify key meanings and ideas within each
transcript.
Comparison
across
participants
Each analyst compared data across
participants to identify and chart key themes
and subthemes common across participants.
Themes identified were inclusive to represent
the data in its entirety.
Comparison
across analysts
The first and fourth authors cross compared
their analyses, collaborating to modify the
themes and subthemes until consistency
between the analysts was reached.
Disagreement, overlap or ambiguity in the
themes or sub-themes not resolved by the
first and fourth authors was discussed with
the second and third authors until consensus
was reached.
Synthesis The first and fourth authors synthesised
their analyses into a single analysis
containing all themes and sub-themes in
their entirety.