title: A qualitative study exploring patients' and carers' experiences of Early Supported Discharge services after stroke.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate patients' and carers' experiences of Early Supported Discharge services and inform future Early Supported Discharge service development and provision.
  
  
  METHODS
  Semi-structured interviews were completed with 27 stroke patients and 15 carers in the Nottinghamshire region who met evidence-based Early Supported Discharge service eligibility criteria. Participants were either receiving Early Supported Discharge or conventional services.
  
  
  METHODS
  Community stroke services in Nottinghamshire, UK.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A thematic analysis process was applied to identify similarities and differences across datasets. Themes specific to participants receiving Early Supported Discharge services were: the home-based form of rehabilitation; speed of response; intensity and duration of therapy; respite time for the carer; rehabilitation exercises and provision of technical equipment; disjointed transition between Early Supported Discharge and ongoing rehabilitation services. Participants receiving Early Supported Discharge or conventional community services experienced difficulties related to: limited support in dealing with carer strain; lack of education and training of carers; inadequate provision and delivery of stroke-related information; disjointed transition between Early Supported Discharge and ongoing rehabilitation services.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Accelerated hospital discharge and home-based rehabilitation was perceived positively by service users. The study findings highlight the need for Early Supported Discharge teams to address information and support needs of patients and carers and to monitor their impact on carers in addition to patients, using robust outcome measures.
authors: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Division of Rehabilitation and Ageing, Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham, UK. christine.cobley@nottingham.ac.uk
authors: Christine S
authors: CS
authors: Cobley
authors: Rebecca J
authors: RJ
authors: Fisher
authors: Niki
authors: N
authors: Chouliara
authors: Micky
authors: M
authors: Kerr
authors: Marion F
authors: MF
authors: Walker
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D010351:Patient Discharge; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012944:Social Support; D020521:Stroke / Q000523:psychology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation
keywords: Early Supported Discharge; Home rehabilitation; qualitative study; stroke; supported discharge