title: Exploring views on long term rehabilitation for people with stroke in a developing country: findings from focus group discussions.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The importance of long term rehabilitation for people with stroke is increasingly evident, yet it is not known whether such services can be materialised in countries with limited community resources. In this study, we explored the perception of rehabilitation professionals and people with stroke towards long term stroke rehabilitation services and potential approaches to enable provision of these services. Views from providers and users are important in ensuring whatever strategies developed for long term stroke rehabilitations are feasible and acceptable.
  
  
  METHODS
  Focus group discussions were conducted involving 15 rehabilitation professionals and eight long term stroke survivors. All recorded conversations were transcribed verbatim and analysed using the principles of qualitative research.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both groups agreed that people with stroke may benefit from more rehabilitation compared to the amount of rehabilitation services presently provided. Views regarding the unavailability of long term rehabilitation services due to multi-factorial barriers were recognised. The groups also highlighted the urgent need for the establishment of community-based stroke rehabilitation centres. Family-assisted home therapy was viewed as a potential approach to continued rehabilitation for long term stroke survivors, given careful planning to overcome several family-related issues.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Barriers to the provision of long term stroke rehabilitation services are multi-factorial. Establishment of community-based stroke rehabilitation centres and training family members to conduct home-based therapy are two potential strategies to enable the continuation of rehabilitation for long term stroke survivors.
authors.affiliation: School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. norazlin8@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Nor Azlin
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Mohd Nordin
authors.forename: Noor Azah Abd
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Aziz
authors.forename: Aznida Firzah
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Abdul Aziz
authors.forename: Devinder Kaur
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Ajit Singh
authors.forename: Nor Aishah
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Omar Othman
authors.forename: Saperi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sulong
authors.forename: Syed Mohamed
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Aljunid
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006295:Health Resources / Q000600:supply & distribution; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008296:Malaysia; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation