Secondary Stroke Prevention Education: Occupational Therapy Practitioners’ Implementation and Perceptions

Abstract

Aims This study aims to i) describe how occupational therapy (OT) practitioners implement secondary stroke prevention education, and ii) explore barriers and facilitators in education provision. Methods OT practitioners completed a mixed methods online survey regarding characteristics, barriers, and facilitators of prevention education for adults with stroke and their caregivers. Results 148 eligible responses were received and analyzed using descriptive quantitative and qualitative thematic analysis methods. More than half of participants frequently or always provided education on four of eight specified prevention topics. Under education facilitators, emergent themes included resource utilization, specific education strategies, and “it takes a village.” Under education barriers, themes included decreased understanding/acceptance, lack of time, and lack of support/resources. Conclusion OT practitioners play a critical role in addressing secondary prevention in stroke survivors, yet education on some prevention topics may be sub-optimal. Addressing identified barriers may provide opportunities to implement secondary stroke prevention education more effectively.