Perspectives on hospital and community-liked education program for community reintegration in patients with stroke and traumatic brain injury

Abstract

Most of patients with stroke and traumatic brain injury (TBI) suffer from lack of persistent and appropriate rehabilitation program after discharge. It is needed to develop the hospital and community-linked education program (HCLEP) for community reintegration of patients with brain injury after discharge. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate perspectives of health professionals in rehabilitation field to decide appropriate items in HCLEP. In this study, rehabilitation physician, nurse, physical therapist, occupational therapist, social worker, and others were participated ( n = 204). An electronic survey was performed to decide education items for community reintegration of patients with stroke and TBI. To quantify the required degree of several items, which can be included, Likert 5 point scale was used and a rating average for responses of each item was calculated. In this study, respondents strongly agreed safety management, functional maintenance and improvement, emergency management, and prevention of secondary disorders as appropriate items of education for community reintegration in patients with stroke and TBI. Personal counseling ( n = 97) and small group learning with 3-5 individuals ( n = 80) were selected as suitable teaching methods. Participants responded that education content type using video is appropriate ( n = 94). Social worker was selected as an appropriate educator ( n = 147). The present results provides fundamental information which be needed to develop HCLEP for persistent rehabilitation in patients with stroke and TBI. Further studies are needed to reach a consensus of professionals or patients for specific items included in the education contents.