Family Conferences in Stroke Rehabilitation: A Literature Review

Abstract

Family conferences in hospital settings are acknowledged as being important and beneficial for enhancing communication between patients, family members, and the multidisciplinary team. They provide feedback on progress and therapeutic findings, and facilitate problem solving in cases of complex discharge planning. A literature review was conducted, with 23 articles highlighting problem areas within current practice and discussing the merits of existing approaches. The articles suggest that stroke survivors and their families have additional education and support needs beyond what is already provided, and that intervention may be enhanced by being more proactive rather than reactive, preventing potentially avoidable crises or disputes. This review provides insight into the ideal methods for communicating and planning and identifies better uses of these opportunities. Much more can be done within the multidisciplinary team to ensure that the information needs of patients and families are catered for during their inpatient admission and on their return to the community. Additional research and trials of interventions by established rehabilitation services will allow for improved and more informed clinical practice (including cost effectiveness), enhanced knowledge of caregiver needs, and essentially more positive outcomes for rehabilitation patients and their families. Research may be able to develop best practice guidelines to ensure reduced caregiver stress and anxiety during admission and discharge. We require additional investigation of the effects of educational and emotional support provided in the hospital setting and as an outpatient on quality of life for caregivers and prevention of readmission to hospital or entrance into residential care for patients.