Clinical Guidelines for Eliciting Discourse Using the RHDBank Protocol

Purpose: Examining discourse after right hemisphere brain damage (RHD) can provide invaluable clinical data and insight into functional communication capa-bilities. Yet, clinicians preparing to enter the field may have limited experience eliciting and analyzing discourse for therapeutic purposes. The purpose of this work is to present a practical guide for the clinical use of the RHDBank protocol. Method: Following a brief overview of the RHDBank protocol, elicitation guidelines and protocol administration considerations are offered. Measures that should be considered when analyzing RHDBank-elicited discourse are summa-rized. The RHDBank protocol is positioned as an accessible resource for discourse elicitation in the clinical setting, and examples for the clinical use of the protocol are provided. Conclusions: Discourse production can be a key source of information regarding communication ability following RHD. The RHDBank provides a structured and scripted approach to the clinical elicitation of language and consideration of discourse production. Its immediate clinical utility will assist developing clinicians with the acquisition of a clinically relevant elicitation approach and more comprehensive view of the RHD communication impairments. Application of the protocol can aid in collective knowledge advancement that will promote a better understanding of RHD language production as a clinical entity with an array of possible characteristics.