Date Presented 03/27/20
Even though the mental-health needs of clients are considered to be a priority, many OT practitioners are dissatisfied with their ability to completely address the psychosocial needs of individuals poststroke (Simpson et al., 2018). Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine the client’s perspective regarding the extent to which OT practitioners and other healthcare professionals addressed the psychosocial needs of individuals after a stroke and during the rehabilitation process.
Primary Author and Speaker: Lisa Knecht-Sabres
Additional Authors and Speakers: Mia St. Clair
Contributing Authors: Robin Wenzel, Emily Zgoda
INTRODUCTION & PURPOSE: Depression and anxiety after a stroke can negatively impact one’s recovery, functional outcomes, and quality of life after a stroke (Oni, Aina, Ojini, & Olisah, 2016). Even though practitioners consider the mental health needs of their clients to be a priority, many occupational therapy practitioners are dissatisfied with their ability to completely address the psychosocial needs of individuals post stroke (Simpson et al., 2018). Thus, the purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the client’s perspective regarding the extent to which occupational therapy practitioners and other healthcare professionals addressed the psychosocial needs of individuals after a stroke during the rehabilitation process.
DESIGN & METHODS: A phenomenological research design was used to collect data from seven participants via a focus group and semi-structured interviews. Two participants participated in a focus group, and five participants participated in a semi-structured phone or in-person interview. All interviews and focus group were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was used to analyze qualitative data (Cresswell, 2014). Codes and patterns that emerged were discussed and re-coded until all authors came to consensus. Researchers utilized multiple strategies to increase trustworthiness of findings: member checks of initial interpretations, peer-review, multiple coders, triangulation, and expert examination.
RESULTS: Five themes emerged from the data: (1) An array of emotions are experienced by patients post stroke; (2) Patients are not likely to initiate disclosure of their state of mental health; (3) Patients feel that their psychosocial needs are not being fully addressed by practitioners; (4) Patients have an abundance of suggestions for improved care; and (5) Patients post stroke are working hard to establish a new normal routine and purpose in life.
CONCLUSION & IMPACT STATEMENT: The findings of this study reinforce the importance of addressing the mental health needs of individuals who experience a physical disability and the importance of identifying methods to enhance healthcare professionals’ ability to effectively address the psychosocial, as well as physical needs of their patients post stroke. The findings from this study also support the results of Simpson et al. (2018) indicating that OT practitioners are not fully addressing the psychosocial needs of patients with physical disabilities. Since strokes continue to be the leading cause of disability within the United States, it seems imperative that both students and practitioners are educated, supported, and better prepared to address the physical and psychosocial needs of patients in rehabilitation.
References
Simpson, E. K., Ramirez, N. M., Branstetter, B., Reed, A., & Lines, E. (2018). Occupational therapy practitioners’ perspectives of mental health practices with clients in stroke rehabilitation. OTJR: Occupation, Participation and Health, 38(3), 181–189. https://doi.org/10.1177/1539449218759627
Oni OD, Aina OF, Ojini FI, Olisah VO. Quality of life and associated factors among poststroke clinic attendees at a University Teaching Hospital in Nigeria. Niger Med J. 2016;57(5):290–298. doi:10.4103/0300-1652.190602
Creswell, J. & Creswell J. (2018). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (5th ed). Los Angeles: Sage.
