Person-centred care in individuals with stroke: a qualitative study using in-depth interviews

Area of Science:

• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Patient-Centred Care
• Stroke Recovery

Background:

• Person-centred care (PCC) significantly influences healthcare professionals' clinical practices.
• Understanding patient perspectives is crucial for effective stroke rehabilitation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the perspectives of individuals with stroke on person-centred care (PCC).
• To identify perceived barriers and enablers of PCC in stroke rehabilitation from the patient's viewpoint.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative exploratory study utilizing an interpretive framework.
• In-depth interviews and field notes collected from 31 individuals with moderate to severe stroke.
• Thematic analysis employed to identify key themes, ensuring data trustworthiness.

Main Results:

• Theme 1: Recognizing the individual beyond the "patient" label, valuing their identity.
• Theme 2: Placing the person at the center of care, respecting preferences and promoting active participation.
• Theme 3: Highlighting the need for training in PCC for healthcare professionals to enhance implementation.

Conclusions:

• Healthcare professionals must acknowledge the individual's identity and desire for participation in stroke rehabilitation.
• Effective implementation of PCC requires professionals to be equipped with specific training and skills.
• Patient perspectives are vital for optimizing PCC in stroke recovery.