Executive dysfunction post-stroke: an insight into the perspectives of physiotherapists.
OBJECTIVE
To gain an understanding of physiotherapy practice in relation to executive dysfunction (ED) post-stroke.


METHODS
Three focus groups were conducted using semi-structured interview schedules to highlight how ED post-stroke was understood by 12 physiotherapists with greater than 1 year of experience working in the area of stroke care. The focus group data were analysed using qualitative data analysis.


RESULTS
The themes extracted from the data on physiotherapists' self-reported knowledge of ED post-stroke were: physiotherapists' lack of knowledge of ED post-stroke; current physiotherapy practice regarding ED post-stroke; the negative impact of ED on physiotherapy rehabilitation post-stroke and the future learning needs of physiotherapists regarding ED post-stroke.


CONCLUSIONS
Current results demonstrate that ED has negative implications for physiotherapy rehabilitation post-stroke. Although further interdisciplinary research is warranted, the present results suggest that physiotherapists should be aware of the presence of ED in people post-stroke and develop strategies to minimise the impact of ED on physiotherapy rehabilitation. Implications for Rehabilitation Physiotherapists report a lack of knowledge of ED post-stroke and a requirement for future learning and training regarding the optimal management of people with ED undergoing physiotherapy rehabilitation post-stroke. ED has negative implications for physiotherapy rehabilitation post-stroke and physiotherapists should be aware of the presence of ED in people post-stroke and develop strategies to minimise the impact of ED on physiotherapy rehabilitation.
a Department of Clinical Therapies, Faculty of Education and Health Sciences , University of Limerick , Ireland .
Sara
S
Hayes
Claire
C
Donnellan
Emma
E
Stokes
D056344:Executive Function; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007494:Ireland; D008297:Male; D059825:Physical Therapists / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000193:education / Q000592:standards*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D020521:Stroke / Q000523:psychology*; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation
Executive dysfunction; physiotherapy; qualitative research; rehabilitation; stroke