title: Exploring the experience of facilitating self-management with minority ethnic stroke survivors: a qualitative study of therapists' perceptions.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The utility of self-management with people from minority ethnic backgrounds has been questioned, resulting in the development of culturally specific tools. Yet, the use of stroke specific self-management programmes is underexplored in these high risk groups. This article presents the experience of stroke therapists in using a stroke specific self-management programme with stroke survivors from minority ethnic backgrounds.
  
  
  METHODS
  26 stroke therapists with experience of using the self-management programme with stroke survivors from minority ethnic backgrounds participated in semi-structured interviews. These were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three themes were identified. One questioned perceived differences in stroke survivors interaction with self-management based on ethnicity. The other themes contrasted with this view demonstrating two areas in which ethnic and cultural attributes were deemed to influence the self-management process both positively and negatively. Aspects of knowledge of health, illness and recovery, religion, family and the professionals themselves are highlighted.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study indicates that ethnicity should not be considered a limitation to the use of an individualized stroke specific self-management programme. However, it highlights potential facilitators and barriers, many of which relate to the capacity of the professional to effectively navigate cultural and ethnic differences.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Research in Rehabilitation, School of Health Sciences and Social Care, Brunel University , London , UK .
authors.forename: Meriel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Norris
authors.forename: Fiona
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: Cherry
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kilbride
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Victor
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012648:Self Care; D020521:Stroke / Q000208:ethnology*; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation
keywords: Ethnicity; self-management; stroke; therapists