Enhancing quality of life for survivors of stroke through phenomenology.

Kaufman argued for the need to implement a phenomenological approach to explore the boundaries of authority and responsibility associated with modern Western medicine. Twenty-two years later, survivors of stroke and their families continue to experience a poor quality of life (QOL) due to unmet health care expectations. Therefore, the need to establish a phenomenological approach to examine the issues impacting the QOL of survivors of stroke is as important as ever. This article will examine 3 issues germane to the QOL of survivors of stroke that can be addressed through phenomenological methodology: (1) comprehensive-holistic treatment; (2) active, problem-based coping strategies; and (3) education for the general public and health care personnel. Existential responses from survivors of stroke and recent findings from narrative-based research will help to highlight these important issues.