Access, referral, service provision and management of individuals with primary progressive aphasia: A survey of speech-language therapists in Italy.

ABSTRACT:

Background and objectives

In Italy, approximately 650 individuals receive a diagnosis of primary progressive aphasia (PPA) every year. Unfortunately, the frequency with which patients are referred to speech-language services is suboptimal, likely due to skepticism regarding the value of speech-language therapy in the context of neurodegeneration.

Materials and methods

We conducted a virtual survey of speech and language therapists (SLTs) across Italy, to collect information about the assessment, intervention and management of patients with PPA. To ensure that as many SLTs as possible received the survey, the Italian Federation of SLTs (Federazione Logopedisti Italiani, FLI) aided in disseminating the survey.

Results

In total, 336 respondents participated in the online

SUBMITTER: Battista P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10613933 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jul-Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature