Exploring self-management within hospital-based stroke care: current and future opportunities.

Abstract

This study explored stroke self-management within a tertiary hospital setting from the perspectives of health professionals working across the continuum of stroke care. A qualitative descriptive design guided five focus groups in the acute stroke service (<i>n</i> = 2), inpatient rehabilitation (<i>n</i> = 2), and outpatient day hospital service (<i>n</i> = 1). Focus groups were transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis. Twenty-eight health professionals participated representing medical, nursing, and allied health services. Two themes emerged from the data: <i>Pieces of the puzzle</i> illustrates the inconsistent understanding about self-management with elements of the puzzle described but rarely within the full concept of self-management; <i>Readiness for self-management</i> highlighted that although self-management should commence in the acute setting, there were many factors influencing why this was not always happening. A consistent conceptualisation and approach to stroke self-management in the hospital setting is required. Interprofessional education and shared intentional language can enhance understanding and practice.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONUnderstanding and application of stroke self-management varies among members of hospital-based stroke teams.Health professionals working in hospital-based stroke care should use the term self-management with their patients.Education of healthcare teams is necessary to develop knowledge about self-management and develop consistent practices across the continuum of care.