Consulting with patients and providers: what should the future of aphasia therapy look like?
Reviewed by Anna Volkmer

This article provides a description of what healthcare for people living with aphasia should and may look like in 10 years’ time. The authors have consulted with a group of people with aphasia and the lead of an aphasia advocacy group on their opinions of what this future should look like. The article discusses the future of day-to-day care, where people with aphasia are diagnosed more quickly and efficiently, and technology supports the effective delivery of the most evidenced-based care possible. The authors stress the importance of technology as an aid to a more communication-friendly society that enables patients and their loved ones to access regular specialist support, social support and therapy programs (such as apps). The article highlights the need for more accessible research to equip the workforce, and for person-centered care to be accepted within an outcome orientated system. A number of suggestions are put forward to support this, such as using more patient-reported outcome measures and establishing new competencies for speech and language therapists. This article is an important reminder that we need to address the needs of people with aphasia in future healthcare and research by consulting with them about what they need rather than assuming what is best.

Aphasia practice in the year 2026.
Hinckley JJ.
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