Current Status and Associated Factors of Treatment Burden in Stroke Patients: Mixed-Methods Research With a...

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Health Services Research
• Patient Experience

Background:

• Stroke significantly impacts patients' lives, often leading to a substantial treatment burden.
• Understanding the multifaceted nature of this burden is crucial for effective patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the current status of treatment burden in stroke patients.
• To analyze the factors associated with treatment burden in stroke survivors.
• To provide a theoretical basis for targeted clinical interventions.

Main Methods:

• Convergent parallel mixed-methods design integrating quantitative and qualitative data.
• Quantitative phase: Questionnaire survey (n=237) with regression analysis.
• Qualitative phase: Semi-structured interviews (n=17) analyzed using the Colaizzi method.

Main Results:

• Key factors associated with treatment burden include depression, self-management efficacy, age, objective support, and diet control.
• Qualitative data revealed 8 themes and 27 subthemes detailing patient experiences.
• Integrated findings provide a comprehensive understanding of treatment burden.

Conclusions:

• Treatment burden in stroke patients is multifactorial, encompassing psychological, behavioral, and social support aspects.
• A holistic approach is essential for healthcare professionals managing stroke patients.
• Findings underscore the need for enhanced psychological interventions and support systems.