Challenges and Experiences Faced by Physiotherapists in Stroke Rehabilitation: A Qualitative Study

Introduction: Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability in India and rehabilitation therapy is underdeveloped. Neurorehabilitation is a program that caters to people who have disabilities to help them attain and maintain optimal performance. The majority of people with disabilities are economically underprivileged and have trouble getting access to basic health care (including rehabilitation). Physiotherapists also face limitations in providing services to stroke survivors and this study is to identify those challenges. Objective: The objective of this study is to identify the limitations faced by physiotherapists during stroke rehabilitation. Material and Method: In November 2022, a focus group discussion was held with a sample size of 12 physiotherapy residents from neurorehabilitation and community rehabilitation working in a tertiary hospital. After consent was taken, audiovideography was recorded, transcripted, and documented. Data were thoroughly transcribed, and thematic analysis and characteristics were established. Results: After extraction of codes and themes, the following results were found. General categories of themes are lack of awareness on stroke and physiotherapy, infrastructure, financial constraints, family dynamic, social health, amotivation and mental health, collaboration limitations, problems in-home services, and the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on rehabilitation. Recommendations given by the participants were creating a stroke community, availability of more insurance companies to support and provide relief for financial stress, early education and awareness on stroke from school level, active participation of caregivers and family members to assist the patient in home-based therapy, and availability of NGOs that cater specifically to physiotherapy. Conclusion: It was concluded that neurorehabilitation in India needs to attend to the given categories. Policymakers must be aware of the financial and social issues that stroke survivors experience and enact legislation that will decrease mental and financial stress.