On this episode we talk about a free, online "microlesson-based" training program for direct service professionals (DSPs) on how to use a communication skill known as motivational interviewing to enhance person-centered delivery of home and community-based services (HCBS).

Our guests are Linda Ehrlich Jones, PhD, RN, associate director of the Center for Rehabilitation Outcomes Research at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, and Bob Sattler, a partner at Support Development Associates, which supports organizations and agencies in providing person-centered HCBS.

In addition to sharing their insights on the podcast, Bob and Dr. Ehrlich-Jones are looking for DSPs to pilot test and provide feedback on the training. Learn more about the pilot testing and see if you're eligible to participate.

On this episode of INside the OUTcomes, we’ll be talking about loneliness and spinal cord injury.

My guests are Sherri LaVela, PhD, MPH, a research health scientist, and Marissa Wirth, lead social science program coordinator, both in the Center of Innovation for Complex Chronic Healthcare in the Department of Veterans Affairs. Dr. LaVela is also a research professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation at Northwestern University.

Dr. LaVela and Marissa conducted extensive research about how loneliness affects people with SCI and have uncovered factors that contribute to and alleviate loneliness in this population. They have also developed an educational curriculum for health care providers on loneliness and SCI, which we'll discuss at the end of this episode.

Transcripts are available for each episode.

On this episode of INside the OUTcomes: A Rehabilitation Research Podcast, Elissa Larkin, CCC-SLP, HEC-C, a research speech-language pathologist at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab's Center for Aphasia Research and Treatment, shares insight into an online training course aimed at helping service industry employees improve communication with customers who have communication disabilities. Learn more about the course and find out how you can participate.

Tune in to learn more about the team's research, and discover practical tips for better engaging with people who have communication challenges.

Transcripts of all episodes are available.

Find the podcast on ⁠Spotify⁠, ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ or ⁠YouTube⁠ and browse the podcast archive for past episodes.

This podcast is supported by grants from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research.