An Umbrella Review of Systematic Reviews: Characteristics of Communication Partner Training That Facilitate Learning in Communication Partners of Adults With Acquired Neurogenic Communication Disorders

Communication partner training is typically designed to equip communication partners of adults with acquired neurogenic communication disorders with the necessary skills to create communication opportunities. Communication partner training allows for opportunities for expression, language expansion, enhanced interaction, participation, and well-being in these adults. However, successful implementation of communication partner training programs is not guaranteed as various factors, such as adult learning principles, the teaching style of the trainer, and trainee engagement, impact on the quality of training, and training outcomes predict training transfer. An umbrella review of systematic reviews was employed for this article. Initially the searches yielded 75 systematic reviews, in which 40 duplicates were identified. The remaining reviews (n = 35) were then screened on title, abstract, and full-text levels, resulting in a final inclusion of eight systematic review studies. A deductive approach to narrative synthesis was used to analyze the data based on previous theory. First, codes were identified, then themes, subthemes, categories, and subcategories were listed based on six adult learning principles and three trainee engagement components. This review highlights the importance of adult learning principles and trainee engagement when designing and implementing communication partner training within natural, real-life communication settings.