Satisfaction with care as a quality-of-life predictor for stroke patients and their caregivers.
OBJECTIVE
We sought to identify indicators associated with the quality of life (QoL) of stroke patients and caregivers.


METHODS
The cross-sectional study was conducted at nine Dutch stroke service facilities involving 251 stroke patients and their caregivers. We used the EuroQol (EQ-5D) and Satisfaction with Stroke Care questionnaires, and included the variables (1) disability at hospital admission, (2) length of hospital stay, (3) demographic data, and (4) caregivers' relationship with stroke patients. The Actor-Partner (patient-caregiver) Interdependence Model (APIM) was used to examine dependence between patients' and caregivers' QoL scores through dyad membership.


RESULTS
Patients' age was significantly related to their QoL, and caregivers' age and educational level were significantly related to their QoL. Patients' disability on hospital admission and length of stay were associated with patients' QoL, and their disability on admission was related to caregivers' QoL. No relationship was found between length of stay and caregivers' QoL. Satisfaction with care was associated with both patients' and caregivers' QoL.


CONCLUSIONS
The APIM distinguished the different roles of patients and caregivers while acknowledging the interdependence of their QoL scores. Satisfaction with care was identified as important indicator of stroke patients' and caregivers' QoL.
Institute of Health Policy and Management, iBMG, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Burgemeester Oudlaan 50, 3000 DR Rotterdam, The Netherlands. cramm@bmg.eur.nl
Jane M
JM
Cramm
Mathilde M H
MM
Strating
Anna P
AP
Nieboer
D000368:Aged; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires