Dr Joanne Steel
Lecturer
School of Health Sciences (Speech Pathology)
- Email:joanne.steel@newcastle.edu.au
- Phone:+61 2 40553011
Career Summary
Biography
Dr Joanne Steel, PhD, is a certified practising speech pathologist (CPSP) and lecturer with the Speech Pathology (honours) program at the University of Newcastle. She has over ten years clinical and research experience working with adults in acute, inpatient and outpatient hospital settings and the community. Jo has a clinical and research interest in improving outcomes for adults with acquired neurogenic communication disability, particularly after traumatic brain injury or stroke.
Research interests
Jo’s research area is the assessment and treatment of cognitive and social communication disorders after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Her focus has been on management for people with severe injury in the early stages of recovery. This time can be highly distressing for people with communication disability and their families. Jo’s PhD investigated cognitive communication assessment and recovery during post-traumatic amnesia (PTA), after coma emergence. Her goal is improve assessment and treatment methods so that cognitive communication disorder can be identified early and treated appropriately.
Jo’s recent work has focused on improving narrative discourse (e.g. anecdotes, telling stories, giving explanations) for people with TBI. Being able to tell a story is a part of everyday social interaction. Impairment in this ability, which is common after TBI, has a negative effect on the person's relationships and employment. Jo's research has examined innovative assessment methods and interventions to treat narratives after TBI.
Teaching Expertise
Jo’s key teaching area is in adult acquired communication disability. She has developed two core courses in the Speech Pathology program and has coordinated and lectured into adult language disorders, adult speech disorders, clinical practice and research review courses.
Collaborations
Jo worked as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow on an NHMRC funded project ‘Safety in Hospitals for People with Communication Disability, at the University of Technology, Sydney, and assisted in development of the SafetyCatch app, designed to improve communicative interactions between patients and hospital staff.
Jo was part of the international team involved in the development of TBIBank Grand Rounds, a digital health resource incorporating a shared online database and learning platform for students, clinicians and researchers working in traumatic brain injury. This platform was made available in 2020 for use in curricula in Australian and globally.
In 2017 Jo was a co-founder of BRAINSPaN, the Brain Impairment Clinician and Researcher Peer Network, which is a multidisciplinary network of clinicians and researchers in the brain impairment (BI) field in Australia. The group was set up to share knowledge and skills between peers in brain injury and encourage translation of research findings into clinical practice. BRAINSPaN now has over 700 members and has been successful for skill-building, knowledge translation and research dissemination.
Jo’s research in improving communication outcomes for people with traumatic brain injury is aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goal (SGD) 3, "Good Health and Well-being": To ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, University of Newcastle
- Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours), University of Newcastle
Keywords
- Adult neurogenic communication disability
- Cognitive communication
- Discourse analysis
- Social communication
- Traumatic brain injury
Fields of Research
Code | Description | Percentage |
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420110 | Speech pathology | 100 |
Professional Experience
UON Appointment
Title | Organisation / Department |
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Lecturer | University of Newcastle School of Health Sciences Australia |
Awards
Distinction
Year | Award |
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2010 |
University Medal University of Newcastle |
Teaching
Code | Course | Role | Duration |
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SPTH3101 |
Adult Speech The University of Newcastle |
Course coordinator, lecturer, tutor | 23/2/2021 - 26/11/2021 |
SPTH3001 |
Adult Speech and Language School of Humanities and Social Science - Faculty of Education and Arts - The University of Newcastle |
Course Coordinator, Lecturer, Tutor | 27/1/2019 - 27/6/2019 |
SPTH3080 |
Clinical Practice The University of Newcastle |
Course coordinator, Tutor | 13/1/2020 - 31/12/2020 |
SPTH4210 |
Research Review The University of Newcastle |
Course coordinator | 29/7/2019 - 8/11/2019 |
SPTH3001 |
Adult Speech and Language School of Humanities and Social Science - Faculty of Education and Arts - The University of Newcastle |
Course coordinator, Lecturer, Tutor | 25/2/2020 - 25/7/2020 |
SPTH3102 |
Adult Language The University of Newcastle, Australia |
Course coordinator, lecturer, tutor | 23/2/2021 - 2/7/2021 |
Publications
For publications that are currently unpublished or in-press, details are shown in italics.
Chapter (2 outputs)
Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link | ||
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2023 |
Togher L, Elbourn E, Steel J, 'Communication Treatment Approaches to Improve Discourse Production in Traumatic Brain Injury', Spoken Discourse Impairments in the Neurogenic Populations, Springer International Publishing 343-356 (2023)
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2022 |
Elbourn E, Steel J, Spencer E, 'Discourse Assessment Across the Recovery Continuum of Traumatic Brain Injury', Discourse Analysis in Adults with and Without Communication Disorders A Resource for Clinicians and Researchers, Plural Publishing, San Diego (2022)
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Journal article (17 outputs)
Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link | ||||||||
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2023 |
Elbourn E, MacWhinney B, Fromm D, Power E, Steel J, Togher L, 'TBIBank: An International Shared Database to Enhance Research, Teaching and Automated Language Analysis for Traumatic Brain Injury Populations', ARCHIVES OF PHYSICAL MEDICINE AND REHABILITATION, 104 824-829 (2023)
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2023 |
Hoffman R, Spencer E, Steel J, 'A qualitative exploration of speech language pathologists approaches in treating spoken discourse post-traumatic brain injury', International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders,
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2023 |
Elbourn E, Brassel S, Steel J, Togher L, 'Perceptions of communication recovery following traumatic brain injury: A qualitative investigation across 2 years', INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LANGUAGE & COMMUNICATION DISORDERS, [C1]
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2022 |
Steel J, Coluccio I, Elbourn E, Spencer E, 'How do speech-language pathologists assess and treat spoken discourse after TBI? A survey of clinical practice.', Int J Lang Commun Disord, (2022) [C1]
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2022 |
Wong D, Steel J, Baker K, Doig E, 'Characterising the impact of BRAINSPaN: a multidisciplinary community of practice for clinicians and researchers in the brain impairment field', Brain Impairment, 23 216-230 (2022) [C1]
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Nova | |||||||||
2021 |
Steel J, Elbourn E, Togher L, 'Narrative Discourse Intervention After Traumatic Brain Injury A Systematic Review of the Literature', TOPICS IN LANGUAGE DISORDERS, 41 47-72 [C1]
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Nova | |||||||||
2019 |
Hemsley B, Steel J, Sheppard JJ, Malandraki GA, Bryant L, Balandin S, 'Dying for a meal: An integrative review of characteristics of choking incidents and recommendations to prevent fatal and nonfatal choking across populations', American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 28 1283-1297 (2019) [C1] Purpose: The purpose of this study was to conduct an integrative review of original research, across adult populations relating to fatal or nonfatal choking on food, to understand... [more] Purpose: The purpose of this study was to conduct an integrative review of original research, across adult populations relating to fatal or nonfatal choking on food, to understand ways to respond to and prevent choking incidents. Method: Four scientific databases (CINAHL, Medline, Web of Science, and EMBASE) were searched for original peerreviewed research relating to fatal or nonfatal choking on foods. Data were extracted on study characteristics; factors leading up to, events at the time of, and actions taken after the choking incident; and impacts of choking incidents. An integrative review of the findings across studies identified several risk factors and recommendations to reduce the risk of choking. Results: In total, 52 studies met the criteria for inclusion in this review, of which 31 were quantitative, 17 were qualitative, and 4 were of a mixed methods design. Studies reported the observations and narratives of bystanders or researchers, or else were large-scale autopsy studies, and included both the general public and people at risk of dysphagia. A range of food types were involved, and several actions were reported in response to food choking. Strategies to reduce the risk of choking were identified in the studies and are presented in 5 main categories. Conclusions: Factors leading up to choking incidents extend well beyond the individual to the environment for mealtimes; the provision of appropriate mealtime assistance and oral care; and regular monitoring of general health, oral health, and medications. Bystanders¿ increased awareness and knowledge of how to respond to choking are vital. The results of this review could be used to inform service policy and training, for individuals at risk of choking, the people who support them, and the general public. Further research is needed to explore choking prevention and airway protection in individuals with dysphagia.
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Nova | |||||||||
2019 |
Hemsley B, Steel J, Worrall L, Hill S, Bryant L, Johnston L, et al., 'A systematic review of falls in hospital for patients with communication disability: Highlighting an invisible population', JOURNAL OF SAFETY RESEARCH, 68 89-105 (2019) [C1]
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2019 |
Steel J, Georgiou A, Balandin S, Hill S, Worrall L, Hemsley B, 'A content analysis of documentation on communication disability in hospital progress notes: diagnosis, function, and patient safety', CLINICAL REHABILITATION, 33 943-956 (2019) [C1]
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2019 |
Steel J, Togher L, 'Social communication assessment after traumatic brain injury: a narrative review of innovations in pragmatic and discourse assessment methods', BRAIN INJURY, 33 48-61 (2019) [C1]
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2017 |
Steel J, Ferguson A, Spencer E, Togher L, 'Social communication during post-traumatic amnesia and the post-acute period after traumatic brain injury', Brain Injury, 31 1320-1330 (2017) [C1]
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Nova | |||||||||
2017 |
Steel J, Ferguson A, Spencer E, Togher L, 'Language and cognitive communication disorder during post-traumatic amnesia: Profiles of recovery after TBI from three cases', Brain Injury, 31 1889-1902 (2017) [C1] Background: There has been limited empirical speech¿language pathology (SLP) study of language and cognitive communication during post-traumatic amnesia (PTA) and the early stages... [more] Background: There has been limited empirical speech¿language pathology (SLP) study of language and cognitive communication during post-traumatic amnesia (PTA) and the early stages after TBI. The purpose of the current research was to explore the potential means and utility of assessing cognitive communication during PTA and the post-acute recovery period. Method: This research used a longitudinal mixed methods design to describe language and cognitive communication assessment and recovery profiles of three patients with TBI. Cognitive communication was assessed with repeated standardised and non-standardised methods during PTA (rated with Westmead PTA Scale) and at follow-up 3¿months after PTA emergence. Results: All participants demonstrated a profile of language and cognitive communication strengths and weaknesses during PTA and the post-acute period, also evident at follow-up. Improvement occurred gradually throughout PTA, although with individual fluctuation across test occasions. There was no marked change in communication function immediately before and after PTA emergence, indicating that cognitive communication ability and those functions measured on the Westmead PTA Scale (memory and orientation) did not recover at the same rate. Conclusion: It was feasible to assess language and cognitive communication throughout PTA and the post-acute period, and early assessment results were relevant to the patient¿s ongoing communicative function. It is suggested that early and repeated SLP assessment may contribute to the prediction of persisting cognitive communication issues.
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Nova | |||||||||
2016 |
Hemsley B, Georgiou A, Hill S, Rollo M, Steel J, Balandin S, 'An Integrative Review of Patient Safety in Studies on the Care and Safety of Patients with Communication Disabilities in Hospital. Patient Education and Counseling.', Patient Education and Counseling, 99 501-511 (2016) [C1]
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Nova | |||||||||
2016 |
Steel J, Ferguson A, Spencer E, Togher L, 'Speech-language pathologists' perspectives on cognitive communication assessment during post-traumatic amnesia', BRAIN INJURY, 30 1131-1142 (2016) [C1]
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Nova | |||||||||
2015 |
Steel J, Ferguson A, Spencer E, Togher L, 'Language and cognitive communication during post-traumatic amnesia: A critical synthesis', NeuroRehabilitation, 37 221-234 (2015) [C1] BACKGROUND: There is minimal speech pathology literature on communication presentation during post-traumatic amnesia (PTA) and the early recovery period after traumatic brain inju... [more] BACKGROUND: There is minimal speech pathology literature on communication presentation during post-traumatic amnesia (PTA) and the early recovery period after traumatic brain injury. While a body of research reports on other cognitive and behavioural functions during PTA, language and/or cognitive communication are not routinely the primary focus of current research literature. OBJECTIVE: This critical synthesis provides an overview of research to date on communication during PTA to inform speech pathology assessment practice and to assist with information provision to the multidisciplinary team and family members. METHODS: A search was conducted of studies reporting on language, cognition, and cognitive communication during the acute, inpatient and early recovery period after TBI. These were examined for relevance to speech pathology practice during PTA and acute confusional state. RESULTS: Historic and recent literature has described types of language and communication impairment during PTA and early recovery after TBI. Recently, aspects of communication impairment during PTA have been found relevant for outcome prediction. Few studies were found originating from speech pathology on communication during PTA. CONCLUSIONS: Communication disruption forms a key feature of PTA. Existing literature indicates that speech pathology monitoring of communication during PTA may be of benefit as part of multidisciplinary team management during early recovery.
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Nova | |||||||||
2013 |
Steel J, Ferguson A, Spencer E, Togher L, 'Speech pathologists' current practice with cognitive-communication assessment during post-traumatic amnesia: A survey', BRAIN INJURY, 27 819-830 (2013) [C1]
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Nova | |||||||||
Show 14 more journal articles |
Conference (23 outputs)
Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link | ||
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2023 |
Vazirani A, Checklin M, Steel J, 'Narrative Discourse Therapy for Patients in Post-Traumatic Amnesia: A Feasiblity Study', Convention Centre Dublin, Ireland (2023)
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2023 | Elbourn E, Tran S, Steel J, Brunner M, Power E, Togher L, 'Evaluating TBIBank Grand Rounds: Educators Perspectives on a Novel Online Multimedia Platform for Communication Disorders of Traumatic Brain Injury', Evaluating TBIBank Grand Rounds: Educators Perspectives on a Novel Online Multimedia Platform for Communication Disorders of Traumatic Brain Injury, Darwin, NT, Australia (2023) | ||||
2023 | Elbourn E, Brassel S, Steel J, Togher L, 'The lived experience of communication recovery from 6 months to 2 years after severe TBI', The lived experience of communication recovery from 6 months to 2 years after severe TBI, Darwin, NT, Australia (2023) | ||||
2015 |
Hemsley BA, Georgiou A, Balandin S, Hill S, Rollo M, Steel J, 'Improving the care and safety of adults with severe communication disability in hospital: Applying the generic model of patient safety', 4th Annual NHMRC Symposium on Research Translation jointly with CIPHER, Sydney, NSW (2015) [E3]
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2015 |
Steel J, Ferguson A, Spencer E, Togher L, 'Cognitive communication assessment during post-traumatic amnesia', Monterey, CA (2015) [E3]
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Show 20 more conferences |
Thesis / Dissertation (1 outputs)
Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link |
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2015 | Steel J, Speech pathology assessment of cognitive communication during early recovery following traumatic brain injury, University of Newcastle (2015) |
Grants and Funding
Summary
Number of grants | 3 |
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Total funding | $7,992 |
Click on a grant title below to expand the full details for that specific grant.
20211 grants / $4,992
2021 Faculty of Education and Arts New Staff Grant$4,992
Funding body: Faculty of Education and Arts, University of Newcastle
Funding body | Faculty of Education and Arts, University of Newcastle |
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Scheme | New Staff Grant |
Role | Lead |
Funding Start | 2021 |
Funding Finish | 2021 |
GNo | |
Type Of Funding | Internal |
Category | INTE |
UON | N |
20201 grants / $1,500
43rd Annual Brain Impairment Conference, 7 - 9 May 2020, Perth$1,500
Funding body: Faculty of Education and Arts, University of Newcastle
Funding body | Faculty of Education and Arts, University of Newcastle |
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Scheme | FEDUA Conference Travel Grant |
Role | Lead |
Funding Start | 2020 |
Funding Finish | 2020 |
GNo | |
Type Of Funding | Internal |
Category | INTE |
UON | N |
20191 grants / $1,500
ASSBI/NZRA Inaugural Trans-Tasman Conference 2019, New Zealand, 2 - 4 May 2019$1,500
Funding body: Faculty of Education and Arts, University of Newcastle
Funding body | Faculty of Education and Arts, University of Newcastle |
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Scheme | FEDUA Conference Travel Grant |
Role | Lead |
Funding Start | 2019 |
Funding Finish | 2019 |
GNo | |
Type Of Funding | Internal |
Category | INTE |
UON | N |
Dr Joanne Steel
Position
Lecturer
Lecturer, Speech Pathology
School of Health Sciences
College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing
Focus area
Speech Pathology
Contact Details
joanne.steel@newcastle.edu.au | |
Phone | +61 2 40553011 |
Links |
Twitter Research Networks Research Networks Research Networks |
Office
Room | ICT370 |
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Building | ICT Building |
Location | Callaghan University Drive Callaghan, NSW 2308 Australia |