Stroke survivors' experiences transitioning from hospital to home.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To investigate the experiences of ischaemic stroke survivors during the transitional period from the hospital through the first 4 weeks after discharge home.

BACKGROUND

Ischaemic stroke survivors describe the transition from hospital to home as an important time in their recovery and describe various physical and cognitive concerns early within the recovery period. Adequate transitional care interventions should be informed by such experiences.

DESIGN

This is a qualitative descriptive study.

METHOD

This study used semistructured telephone interviews and an inductive approach to enable thematic analysis of information from 31 persons experiencing an ischaemic stroke.

RESULTS

Five major themes emerged: (a) the shock of a stroke interrupting a normal day; (b) transition to an unfamiliar home; (c) uncertainty; (d) understanding a new sense of self; and (e) adjusting to a new sense of self. All participants articulated a need to cope with uncertainty and adjusting to a new sense of self. Ischaemic stroke survivors who experienced less uncertainty described that return to their prior daily routine, preventing another stroke, depended on a helpful support system including frequent follow-up and communication with healthcare professionals.

CONCLUSION

All ischaemic stroke survivors are at risk for complications during recovery, regardless of stroke severity. This study found that, even after experiencing minimal physical or cognitive symptoms, ischaemic stroke survivors can have difficulty adjusting to life after discharge.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Adjusting to life after a stroke during the first 4 weeks after discharge home is an in individualised experience. For the complex psychosocial and physical needs of ischaemic stroke survivors, nurses can play an important role beyond symptom management by fostering a dynamic relationship through individualised transitional care based on ischaemic stroke survivors experiences.