Sue Sloan

Enhancing the capacity of allied health professionals to address challenging behaviour following brain impairment in the context of building activity and role participation

Following many years of clinical experience in the field of brain injury and behaviour, Sue commenced her PhD in October 2023 under the supervision of Associate Professor Libby Callaway (RAIL, Monash University) and Dr Em Bould (Occupational Therapy Dept, Monash University). Challenging behaviour is a frequent sequela of acquired brain injury and is associated with poor long-term activity and participation outcomes. The overall goal of the research is to enhance the capacity of allied health professionals to address challenging behaviour following brain impairment within the context of intervention that builds the individual's activity and role participation. The first stage of the research is to develop a comprehensive understanding of current behavioural interventions through a scoping review of the literature. Subsequent steps will explore the current clinical roles undertaken by AHPs with people with complex and investigate gaps in their training and available resources. It is anticipated that the final stage of the program of research will be to develop, pilot and evaluate an education program for AHPs that is focused on guiding the development of interventions for challenging behaviour that can be embedded in the context of everyday activity routines.