Abstract 9525: Changes in Managing Post-Stroke Challenges After Receiving a Self-Management Programme: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Introduction: Supporting self-management is essential to improving health outcomes after stroke. More evidence on the stroke survivors’ experiences and perceived usefulness of the self-management interventions are needed to provide better support. Purpose: This study was aimed to explore stroke survivors’ experiences of attending an 8-week programme which consisted of four home visits and five follow-up phone calls and delivered by a collaborative team of nurses and trained lay volunteers. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted with a convenience sample of the survivors who had received the programme. After completing the programme, the survivors were interviewed individually by phone using a semi-structured interview guide about their changes in perceiving and responding to post-stroke physical and psychosocial challenges. Suggestions to improve their experience of participation were collected. Interview data were transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically. Results: Thirty stroke survivors (mean age=60 years, SD=11.74) were interviewed. Most of them were male (60%), married (63.3%) and had a first-ever ischaemic stroke (50%). The mean duration of onset after stroke was 5.63 years (SD=3.12). About 63% of them walked unaided or with a stick. Four (13.3%) had mild dysphasia. Four themes were derived: developed short-term goals with lifestyle-integrated action plans; resumed social activities or work; increased satisfaction with life and sense of being cared for; more effective communication and relief of negative emotions; increased adoption of new and creative strategies to improve limb functions. Suggestions for improving the programme included longer duration, more home visits, earlier support upon discharge from the hospital, meetings with other survivors for mutual support while working towards the goals, and more structured follow-up phone calls. Conclusions: The self-management programme was found helpful in improving the survivors’ confidence and performance of self-management behaviours. Making the programme available upon discharge, and extending its duration with more home visits, group sessions and structured phone calls would build stronger self-management capabilities in survivors.