Reflections upon rehabilitation by members of a community based stroke club.
OBJECTIVE
To collect qualitative information about personal experiences with stroke rehabilitation from members of a community based stroke club.


METHODS
In this focused ethnographic study, four data collectors observed and videotaped two sessions of a community based stroke club. The videotape and written notes were reviewed and analysed according to standard qualitative research procedures.


RESULTS
Two themes emerged from analysis of the qualitative data: concerns that individualized needs were not addressed during the rehabilitation process and that services were insufficient to ease the transition to community living.


CONCLUSIONS
Rehabilitation professionals can benefit from soliciting reflections and suggestions from individuals who have returned to community living after completing post-stroke rehabilitation programmes. Specific recommendations are provided for tailoring interventions to meet individual goals, for enhancing follow up services provided after inpatient rehabilitation, and for providing early access to available resources in stroke survivors' communities.
Sabari
J S
JS
State University of New York, Health Science Centre at Brooklyn (SUNY-Brooklyn), Occupational Therapy Programme, 11203, USA. jsabari@netmail.hscbklyn.edu
Meisler
J
J
Silver
E
E
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009518:New York; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011379:Prognosis; D011788:Quality of Life; D012047:Rehabilitation Centers; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation