Experiences of chain of care and rehabilitation after stroke: a qualitative study of persons discharged to skilled nursing facilities before returning home.
Sofie Fors, Anna Bråndal, Hélène Pessah-Rasmussen and 1 others
PMID 38899476WHAT IT FOUND
Stroke survivors discharged to skilled nursing facilities reported lacking information on fatigue and prevention, and felt excluded from rehabilitation planning.
They valued immediate provision of aids upon returning home, but faced delays in mobility services and inconsistent training support.
Key findings
01Participants experienced low participation in rehabilitation planning and received little training while in hospital.
02There was a widespread lack of information regarding stroke consequences like fatigue, lifestyle prevention, and practical details such as costs and waiting times.
03While aids were often provided immediately upon returning home, access to mobility services was hindered by long processing times and unreliability.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The study excluded individuals with aphasia or severe cognitive impairments, limiting its relevance to these common post-stroke populations. Interviews were conducted over the telephone due to COVID-19 restrictions, which may have impeded the detection of fatigue and nuanced communication. The sample was small (13 participants) and geographically specific to southern Sweden, so findings may not generalize to other healthcare systems. Participants did not review the transcribed material or the final analysis, preventing clarification of their statements. The interviewer had limited experience in interview techniques, which may have affected the depth of the data collected.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest. The study was approved by the Swedish Ethical Review Authority.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret these experiences as evidence of what works for all stroke survivors. The study excluded people with aphasia and severe cognitive impairment, and the sample was small and specific to southern Sweden. These are themes from 13 individuals, not generalizable outcomes.