Patients' experience of rehabilitation after stroke.

Abstract

In this study patients were interviewed concerning their experience of rehabilitation in an experimental stroke unit. The patients reported positive effects of being together with other stroke patients and used the unit in a self-help group fashion. They felt that they could have used more rehabilitation, even though they were hospitalized for longer than reported in other studies. Patients felt that there were important non-physical problems in connection with their rehabilitation, and that sufficient attention was not given to all of these. Finally patients underlined the positive effects of the rehabilitation process in helping them organize their coming life in the community.