[Patient and caregiver satisfaction with rehabilitation services after stroke]

To assess patient and caregiver satisfaction with the regular rehabilitation care after stroke. To identify patient features or aspects of the rehabilitation programme related to lower rates of satisfaction in our area.

Cross-sectional study of 74 stroke in-patients admitted from June 2005 to June 2006 (70.3% men, age 65.4 + or - 12.2 years, Barthel discharge 70.5 + or - 27). A telephone Satisfaction questionnaire (Pound 1999) was administered at 13.6 + or - 3.1 months to assess satisfaction regarding in-patient care, therapy and recovery, and services after hospital discharge. Three items addressed to caregiver satisfaction were also included. A total of 84 caregivers were identified: 71% relatives (partner or children), of which 80.9% were women.

The satisfaction questionnaire was completed by 52.9% of patients. Over 80% of interviewed patients were completely satisfied with in-patient care, and 52.7% were satisfied with therapy and recovery during admission, but more patients were dissatisfied with the amount of therapy received. The lowest rate of satisfaction was related to the services after discharge, with less than 25% of patients satisfied. A total of 83.1% of caregivers completed the questionnaire, of which 74.1% were satisfied with the information provided. Stroke educational training was given to 63.5% of caregivers, and 42.4% were given support after discharge. Only the presence of depression during admission and time passed after stroke were significantly related to patient satisfaction. (p<0.05).

Dissatisfaction with some aspects of stroke rehabilitation is considerable in our care area. Despite general patient and caregiver satisfaction regarding information provided, high dissatisfaction rates are also detected related to the amount of therapy and the social support provided after hospital discharge. According to these results, systematic information and training programs for patients and caregivers should be included in stroke rehabilitation, as well as providing social support at discharge.