Implementation of evidence-based interventions according to the Swedish National Guidelines for Strokecare: a nationwide survey among physiotherapists.
Sara Brycke, Anna Bråndal, Christina Brogårdh
PMID 38501731WHAT IT FOUND
Swedish physiotherapists frequently provide high-priority stroke interventions like gait training, but delivery varies by setting.
Municipal and primary care report the most barriers, including lack of time, resources, and knowledge, compared to hospital units.
Key findings
01Most physiotherapists frequently provide high-priority interventions such as task-specific gait training, fall prevention, and motor function training.
02Physiotherapists in municipal care reported significantly fewer facilitating factors, such as supportive management and clear routines, compared to those in hospital rehabilitation.
03Limited time, lack of resources, and unclear goals were the primary factors hindering the implementation of evidence-based stroke interventions across settings.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
The response rate from municipalities was low (19 of 290), limiting the generalizability of findings for community care. Participants were self-selected, which may introduce bias if only those with positive attitudes toward the guidelines responded. The survey relied on self-reported data, which may not accurately reflect actual clinical practice or patient outcomes. The predefined questions limited the ability to explore specific local barriers in depth.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret the high frequency of reported interventions as evidence that all patients receive guideline-concordant care. The survey reflects physiotherapists' self-reported practices, not patient outcomes, and significant gaps remain in resource-limited settings like municipal care.