Self-management from the perspective of people with stroke – An interview study
Erika Klockar, Maya Kylén, Catharina Gustavsson, Tracy Finch, Fiona Jones, Marie Elf
Abstract
Self-management support can improve quality of life, mood, self-efficacy, and physical function following a stroke. Knowledge of how people with stroke understand and experience self-management in different contexts is crucial to developing effective self-management support. This study explored how people with stroke understand and practice self-management during the post-acute phase. A descriptive study using qualitative content analysis to explore data from semistructured interviews Eighteen participants were interviewed. Most participants interpreted self-management as ‘taking care of their business’ and ‘being independent”. However, they encountered difficulties performing daily activities, for which they felt unprepared. Although interest in implementing self-management support increases, participants did not report receiving specific advice from healthcare professionals. People continue to feel unprepared to manage everyday activities after hospital discharge and must largely work things out for themselves. There is an overlooked opportunity to start the process of self-management support earlier in the stroke pathway, with healthcare professionals and people with stroke combining their skills, ideas and expertise. This would enable confidence to self-management to flourish rather than decrease during the transition from hospital to home. Individual tailored self-management support could help people with stroke more successfully manage their daily lives post-stroke. • Persons with stroke can feel unprepared for homecoming, both physically and mentally. • Self-management support (SMS) is beneficial to persons with stroke • SMS for persons with stroke could be more encouraged by health care personnel. • Persons with stroke are often capable to work out a game plan for self-management on their own. • We encourage that SMS starts as soon as possible post stroke, in collaboration with health care personnel.