Co-Creation Technology Development of a Speech Therapy Platform in Germany: Results from an Exploratory Usability Workshop

Telepractice as a service model in speech and language therapy has significantly grown in Germany since the pandemic. However, the implementation is not yet satisfactory. The Hybrid and Interactive Speech and Language Therapy after Stroke project (HiSSS) aimed to provide a complex therapy platform that would integrate both synchronous and asynchronous therapeutic elements for the first time in Germany. This study aimed to evaluate the usability of an early-stage platform by involving people with speech and/or language impairment and speech and language therapists in the development process to ensure that the system was tailored to their needs. Structured observation and a focus group were used in an exploratory usability workshop. Participants provided feedback on facilitators and barriers, suggestions for improvement, training needs, and support while using the platform. The results of the exploratory usability workshop showed that both end user groups would be interested in a future use of the HiSSS platform.