Disrupted biographies: making sense of minor stroke after hospital discharge

To explore how people with minor stroke make sense of the stroke in the first weeks following hospital discharge to home.

A qualitative descriptive approach using semi-structured interviews with 17 participants with minor stroke at approximately 2 weeks post-hospital discharge was used to explore their experiences of the early stage of recovery. Interview transcripts were analysed using qualitative content analysis.

Three main themes were derived from the analysis 1) Reconciling personal reactions, 2) Emotional introspection after the stroke, and 3) Navigating the social side of stroke.

Although participants had different experiences of minor stroke, there were common elements. The first weeks post-hospital discharge were a time of questioning and reconciling the stroke for many participants. Adjusting to post-stroke impairments and the impact of these on social participation was also prominent. There is a critical need for education about what to expect prior to discharge from hospital with minor stroke and a designated discharge pathway to avoid the development of secondary post-stroke issues in the community.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONPeople with minor stroke may experience ongoing post-stroke disabilities following discharge home.The transition period is characterised by questioning and reconciling what has happened by people with minor stroke.Information about what to expect prior to discharge from hospital for people with minor stroke and their families is essential.There is a critical need for a designated discharge pathway with follow up for people with minor stroke and their families.