Views of survivors of stroke on benefits of physiotherapy.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the components of physiotherapy valued by survivors of a stroke.


METHODS
Qualitative study using in-depth interviews.


METHODS
Two adjacent districts in North East Thames Regional Health Authority.


METHODS
82 survivors of stroke taken consecutively from a stroke register when they reached the tenth month after their stroke, 40 of whom agreed to be interviewed.


METHODS
Content analysis of interviews.


RESULTS
Patients who agreed to the interview were significantly less likely to be disabled 12 months after stroke than those who did not. Twenty four patients had received physiotherapy, and these were more disabled than those who had not. Patients appreciated physiotherapy. It was believed to bring about functional improvement; the exercise component was valued because it was perceived to keep them active and busy and exercise programmes to follow at home were also valued for the structure they gave to each day; and therapists were considered a source of advice and information and a source of faith and hope.


CONCLUSIONS
Many of the positive aspects of caring which patients described in the context of physiotherapy could be incorporated into the mainstream of rehabilitation care and training. However, health professionals need to be careful not to promote false expectations about recovery.


CONCLUSIONS
The outcome of treatment is of critical importance to patients and should become a central dimension of patient satisfaction questionnaires. The impact of physiotherapy is not confined to reducing physical disability but may also affect wellbeing. The choice of outcome measures in rehabilitation research should reflect this situation.
Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine, London.
P
P
Pound
M
M
Bury
P
P
Gompertz
S
S
Ebrahim
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000401:mortality / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D004739:England; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000592:standards*