Abstract
This paper presents the opinions of expert physiotherapists on what constitutes optimal stroke rehabilitation in South Africa. Data were collected by the use of the Delphi technique. Consensus was reached after two rounds, and the respondents’ views are summarised and discussed within the framework of South African health care. Results showed that physiotherapy was felt to be very important after stroke, and the survey created a profile of the skills that physiotherapists may require in order to work in this field. However, no new or innovative methods by which appropriate rehabilitation services could be delivered in South Africa were generated by the survey.The Delphi technique is described and its use in this survey considered.
Highlights
This paper presents the opinions o f expert physiotherapists on w h a t co n stitu tes o p tim a l stroke reh a b ilita tio n in So u th A frica
As part of a research study emanating from this question, it was decided to survey the opinions of qualified South African physiotherapists regarded as experts by their colleagues in the field of stroke rehabilitation. What did these physiotherapists regard as optimal stroke rehabilitation in South Africa? This paper reports on the find ings of this survey, which was conducted using a Delphi technique
The definition of “interested” were if the physiotherapist taught neurological physiotherapy at one of the eight univer sities; if they were post-graduate students in neurological physiotherapy; if they worked or had worked in neurology wards or neurological rehabilitation departments; or if they belonged to the Neurological Rehabilitation Group of the South African Society of Physiotherapy
Summary
This paper presents the opinions o f expert physiotherapists on w h a t co n stitu tes o p tim a l stroke reh a b ilita tio n in So u th A frica. 1 lecturer, Department of Physiotherapy, University of the Witwatersrand. Stroke is the second highest cause of death due to chronic diseases of lifestyle in South Africa (Fritz, 1997) resulting in between 8 - 10% of all reported deaths, and 7.5% of deaths in the country’s workforce (25 - 64 years of age). The age-standardised mortality rate is 125 - 175/100,000 (Neurological Association of South Africa Stroke Working Group, 2000). An increase in the incidence and mortality following cerebrovascular accident is predicted as life style risk factors, such as high cholesterol diets and smoking are added to the high prevalence of hypertension in South A frica’s black population (Fritz, 1997; Seedat, 1998). About 50% of all CVA survivors have some residual physical
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