Development of an online implementation intervention for aphasia clinicians to increase the intensity and comprehensiveness of their service

Purpose
To describe the process and outcome of a user and theory informed online intervention for speech pathologists targeting the implementation of intensive and comprehensive aphasia services.

Methods
The design process followed the eight steps outlined by the Behaviour Change Wheel and incorporated the principles of Integrated Knowledge Translation (IKT). Eight speech pathology researchers and clinicians from four countries (Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and Ireland) contributed to three focus groups via videoconference.

Results
The online platform, Aphasia Nexus: Connecting Evidence to Practice, provides resources, guidance and support for speech pathologists seeking to improve the intensity and comprehensiveness of their aphasia service. A collaborative and iterative design process facilitated the creation of an intervention envisioned by participants.

Conclusions
The website contains both interactive elements and resource links which have been arranged under the three headings of resources, action and support. The inclusion of multi-national researchers and clinicians benefitted a design process to make implementation more likely.

IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION
Theoretically informed implementation interventions aim to change the everyday clinical practice of health workers.

An online platform has been developed to support speech pathologists’ implementation of intensive and comprehensive aphasia services.

A collaborative design process can be beneficial in creating an intervention that is relevant to research-users and is more likely to be implemented.