Abstract

BackgroundWhilst pathways relating to the early stages of stroke care have become well established, strategies for longer-term care are less developed and longer-term outcomes remain poor for many stroke survivors. New Start, a complex intervention that includes needs identification, exploration of social networks and components of problem-solving and self-management, was designed to improve stroke survivors’ quality of life by addressing unmet needs and increasing participation. It is delivered approximately 6 months post-stroke by trained staff (facilitators). We are currently undertaking a cluster randomised feasibility trial of the New Start intervention with an embedded process evaluation, which is an important component of the design and testing of complex interventions as it provides an understanding of how interventions are delivered and function in different settings.Methods/designThis mixed methods process evaluation will explore the degree to which New Start is implemented as intended, the impact of context on intervention delivery and the acceptability of the intervention for stroke survivors, their families and practitioners. It will include non-participant observation of facilitator training and intervention delivery. Interviews with stroke survivors, facilitators and other relevant staff (including administrators and managerial staff) will be undertaken. Qualitative data from interview transcripts, facilitator reflections and observational field notes will be analysed thematically alongside numerical data documenting intervention delivery collected as part of the trial.DiscussionThis process evaluation will identify factors that aid and impede implementation of the New Start intervention and improve understanding of this novel approach to longer-term stroke care.Trial registrationISRCTN Registry, ISRCTN38920246. Registered on 22 June 2016.

Highlights

  • Whilst pathways relating to the early stages of stroke care have become well established, strategies for longer-term care are less developed and longer-term outcomes remain poor for many stroke survivors

  • We have developed an intervention, called New Start, that is designed to improve stroke survivors’ quality of life by addressing unmet needs and increasing participation

  • This paper describes the protocol for the process evaluation embedded within the LoTS2Care feasibility trial, which has been designed in accordance with the Medical Research Council guidance for conducting process evaluations of complex interventions [5, 6]

Read more

Summary

Introduction

Whilst pathways relating to the early stages of stroke care have become well established, strategies for longer-term care are less developed and longer-term outcomes remain poor for many stroke survivors. New Start, a complex intervention that includes needs identification, exploration of social networks and components of problemsolving and self-management, was designed to improve stroke survivors’ quality of life by addressing unmet needs and increasing participation. It is delivered approximately 6 months post-stroke by trained staff (facilitators). We are conducting a programme of research to develop an evidence-based and replicable longer-term care strategy for stroke survivors and their carers (the LoTS2Care programme). We have developed an intervention, called New Start, that is designed to improve stroke survivors’ quality of life by addressing unmet needs and increasing participation. The implementation of the intervention is supported by a training package that trains individuals within a service unit to become New Start facilitators

Objectives
Methods
Conclusion
Full Text
Published version (Free)

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call