Healthcare provider perceptions of support provision for people with stroke: a qualitative study.

AbstractPurposeMaterials and MethodsResultsConclusions\nIMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONThis study aimed to explore healthcare providers’ perceptions of support provision for people who have experienced stroke.A qualitative descriptive study was conducted. Snowball sampling was used to recruit Australian healthcare workers providing care to people with stroke. Semi-structured one-on-one interviews were audiotaped and transcribed. An inductive thematic analysis of all transcripts was undertaken by two authors.Fourteen participants who worked across the care continuum in three Australian states were interviewed. Responses fit into three overarching themes: (1) attitudes to supports; (2) availability and accessibility of supports; and (3) awareness of supports. These themes encompassed perceptions of the support options available for people with stroke and the factors affecting support provision decision making among healthcare providers.The healthcare providers in this study thought people with stroke would benefit from a greater range of available supports. Supports should take into account the diverse experiences and acute and long-term needs of people with stroke, as well as be accessible to people from all cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Healthcare providers and people who have experienced stroke may benefit from a roadmap for post-stroke support that clearly outlines where responsibility lies for support provision.Healthcare providers across the care continuum feel that current post-stroke supports and services do not adequately serve the diversity of experiences and needs of stroke survivors.Stroke survivors who do not attend rehabilitation, including those with “mild” stroke or who do not fit within limb-focused rehabilitation services, may be missing out on key post-stroke information and support.The development of a roadmap for post stroke support that identifies minimum support provisions and where responsibility lies for provision could benefit healthcare providers, stroke survivors and their carers.Healthcare providers across the care continuum feel that current post-stroke supports and services do not adequately serve the diversity of experiences and needs of stroke survivors.Stroke survivors who do not attend rehabilitation, including those with “mild” stroke or who do not fit within limb-focused rehabilitation services, may be missing out on key post-stroke information and support.The development of a roadmap for post stroke support that identifies minimum support provisions and where responsibility lies for provision could benefit healthcare providers, stroke survivors and their carers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]