Health Related Quality of Life and support needs for sub-arachnoid haemorrhage survivors in New South Wales Australia.
BACKGROUND
Subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) is commonly a devastating injury with long lasting physical and psychosocial consequences for survivors. Support after hospital discharge through chronic care services for this patient group is limited. This study aimed to measure Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) and needs of survivors after discharge from hospital.


METHODS
A population of patients that were diagnosed with SAH were contacted, up to 2 years post discharge, to participate in a postal survey including the Short Stroke Specific Quality of Life Scale (SSQoL-12), a service utilisation questionnaire and attitudes towards participating in a support group.


RESULTS
There were 28 responders. HRQoL was lowest in the psychosocial domain and particularly in relation to fatigue and memory. Most notably many responders indicated they wanted to be interviewed but a support group was not favoured with few responders (n=11) indicating interest with most in favour of a face to face format (n=10).


CONCLUSIONS
HRQoL was reduced particularly in the psychosocial domain. Although there was low utilisation of support services in the post-acute care phase, these patients may benefit from greater opportunities to participate in both physical and psychosocial rehabilitation programs.
NSW Clinical Excellence Commission, Australia. Electronic address: margherita.murgo@health.nsw.gov.au.
Margherita
M
Murgo
Sydney Local Health District, Australia. Electronic address: Kwendy.Cavanagh@sswahs.nsw.gov.au.
Kwendy
K
Cavanagh
Nursing Administration and Resource Management Unit, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Australia. Electronic address: Simon.Latham@sswahs.nsw.gov.au.
Simon
S
Latham
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009517:New South Wales; D011788:Quality of Life; D013345:Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*
Health Related Quality of Life; Rehabilitation; Social support; Subarachnoid haemorrhage