STRENGTH and the Health Care Team: Changing Interprofessional and Client-Centered Practices

Abstract

Background: Client-centered practice in stroke rehabilitation is strongly influenced by interprofessional team functioning and collaborative goal setting. The hospital context is problematic for client-centered practice and reduces the ability of the health care team and client with stroke to appreciate the impact of stroke on functioning within the home environment. Objective: The purpose of this study was to trial Stroke Rehabilitation Enhancing and Guiding Transition Home (STRENGTH), an approach to rehabilitation that provides clients, carers, and hospital-based therapists with weekly opportunities to develop goals and undertake therapy sessions in the home and community before hospital discharge. Methods: Nine participants, comprising 3 occupational therapists, 4 physiotherapists, and 2 speech pathologists, completed a custom-made survey and participated in a semi-structured focus group at the completion of the 6-month trial of STRENGTH. The survey and focus group questioned the participants on their experiences and impressions of STRENGTH. Results: Inductive thematic analysis of the focus group identified 2 themes: “influences of context on team functioning“ and “experiences of the program.” The quantitative data supported the value of STRENGTH for team functioning and client outcomes. Conclusions: The findings provide an overall endorsement for STRENGTH from the therapists’ perspectives and highlight the positive impact of environmental context on team functioning, collaborative goal setting, and ultimately client-centered practice.