Evaluation of a shared approach to interprofessional learning about stroke self-management

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Interprofessional Education
• Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

• Effective stroke self-management support requires coordinated interprofessional efforts.
• Existing training programs may not adequately address collaborative practice in stroke care.
• Health and social care professionals need enhanced skills for patient self-management post-stroke.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of interprofessional training on health and social care professionals within a stroke self-management program (SSMP).
• To assess changes in participants' beliefs and attitudes towards self-management and interprofessional collaboration.
• To examine the effect of training on knowledge sharing throughout the stroke care pathway.

Main Methods:

• Contextual mapping of the stroke pathway.
• Pre- and post-training questionnaires assessing attitudes and beliefs.
• Analysis of practitioners' case reflections on SSMP utilization.
• Semi-structured interviews with participants.

Main Results:

• Post-training, practitioners showed significant shifts in attitudes and beliefs regarding self-management.
• A majority of participants believed the SSMP could be effectively implemented across the entire stroke pathway.
• Interprofessional training fostered a more consistent approach to self-management support and improved team communication regarding patient goals.

Conclusions:

• Interprofessional training positively influences practitioners' perspectives on stroke self-management.
• The SSMP, supported by interprofessional collaboration, can enhance patient care consistency and communication.
• Collaborative training environments facilitate the exploration and adoption of practice changes in stroke rehabilitation.