Large amounts of quantitative data about stroke care are being collected in National Stroke Audits, but at present there is little information about how patients themselves experience this care, information that is important when designing patient-centred services. This study aimed to explore weekend days on a stroke unit from the patients’ perspective. In-depth interviews were conducted with four stroke inpatients, and the interview data was transcribed and analysed using a descriptive phenomenological approach. Although each patient’s experience was individual, some common themes occured. The main theme was the perception of inactivity, with various subcategories within this, namely boredom, influence of other people, visitors and needing time to rest. Three other smaller themes were also identified: frustration, a reluctance to criticise ward staff, and changing perceptions of weekend days as patients progressed through their rehabilitation. These results are discussed and implications for practice are suggested.
Hayden, RYazdani, F
Faculty of Health and Life Sciences\Department of Sport and Health Sciences
Year of publication: 2016Date of RADAR deposit: 2017-04-27
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