University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK.
Division of Human Communication, Development & Hearing, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
Disabil Rehabil. 2022 Jul;44(14):3547-3558. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2020.1867910. Epub 2021 Jan 7.
Patients with functional stroke can present with functional speech, language or swallowing symptoms, which are managed by speech and language therapists (SLTs). The aim of this study was to explore SLTs' views and experiences of working with patients with functional stroke.
Constructivist grounded theory approach was used. Semi-structured interviews were the method of data collection. Constant comparative analysis was used to analyse data. Participants were eligible if they were SLTs who thought they had experience of working with functional stroke.
12 participants were interviewed. Patients with functional stroke were a common occurrence on participants' caseloads; yet they felt patients do not receive optimum care. All participants wanted to help their patients, yet felt they were working within a multitude of barriers to effective input. These included: stigma about the diagnosis, lack of pre-qualification training, quick discharge from inpatient settings, lack of access to mental health services and lack of clinical guidelines and care pathways.
As healthcare professionals, participants were keen to help their patients. However, they felt they did not have the skills or knowledge to help which caused professional turmoil. Reducing stigma and increasing awareness and knowledge of functional stroke are required to improve patient outcomes.
功能性卒中患者可能出现功能性言语、语言或吞咽症状，这些症状由言语和语言治疗师（SLT）进行管理。本研究旨在探讨 SLT 对功能性卒中患者的工作看法和经验。
采用建构主义扎根理论方法。半结构化访谈是数据收集的方法。采用恒定性比较分析对数据进行分析。如果 SLT 认为他们有治疗功能性卒中患者的经验，则有资格参加。
共对 12 名参与者进行了访谈。功能性卒中患者在参与者的病例中很常见，但他们认为患者没有得到最佳的护理。所有参与者都希望帮助他们的患者，但都感到他们在为有效治疗而工作时，受到了多种障碍的阻碍。这些障碍包括：对诊断的污名化、缺乏资格前培训、患者快速出院、无法获得心理健康服务以及缺乏临床指南和护理途径。
作为医疗保健专业人员，参与者非常希望帮助他们的患者。但是，他们感到自己缺乏帮助患者的技能或知识，这导致了他们的职业困扰。需要减少污名化，提高对功能性卒中的认识和知识，以改善患者的预后。
