An Exploration of Carers of Stroke-Survivors in Ireland Experiences of the Discharge Planning Process and Transition of Care to the Home Setting Shelagh O'Connor 10.25419/rcsi.12706745.v1 https://repository.rcsi.com/articles/thesis/An_Exploration_of_Carers_of_Stroke-Survivors_in_Ireland_Experiences_of_the_Discharge_Planning_Process_and_Transition_of_Care_to_the_Home_Setting/12706745 <div>Introduction</div><div>In Ireland, it is estimated that 10,000 people have a stroke annually. A high number</div><div>of stroke-survivors with residual deficits requiring care are discharged to their own.</div><div>Informal carers are often central in homecare provision. The discharge planning</div><div>process (DPP) is the process used to establish the requirements necessary for a</div><div>patient to transition from one level of care to another, and may involve carers.</div><div><br></div><div>Aims and Objectives</div><div>The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of carers of stroke-survivors in</div><div>Ireland, in relation to the DPP and transition of care to the home setting. The</div><div>objectives were; to identify carers’ perceptions of being engaged in necessary</div><div>discussions when discharge-planning. To identify experiences of the DPP that</div><div>affected planning for and impacted upon effective transition to the home setting,</div><div>including perceived supports and barriers. To explore the impact of onward referral,</div><div>and access to support services, on the DPP and transition of care to the home setting.</div><div><br></div><div>Methods</div><div>This study employed a qualitative descriptive design using semi-structured</div><div>interviews, with carers of stroke-survivors in Ireland (n=6). The Caregiver Burden</div><div>Scale (CBS) was used a thematic prompt by participants prior to conducting</div><div>interviews. Key themes emerged from data analysis, which were identified using</div><div>thematic analysis.</div><div><br></div><div>Results</div><div>Results of the CBS (Macera et al., 1993) identified areas where participants provided</div><div>care and areas that increased their stress. Theme one involved preparation for</div><div>discharge while in the hospital. Supports at this time, included access to an</div><div>information-pack on aspects related to their relative’s care. Theme two related to</div><div>access to community-services and life at home post-discharge, with access to early</div><div>supported discharge described as beneficial.</div><div><br></div><div>Conclusions</div><div>Effective communication of information, provision of necessary training and access</div><div>to community services upon discharge, were considered key components of effective</div><div>discharge planning.</div><div><br></div><div>Implications of Findings</div><div>Health professionals must ensure that adequate information exchange and training</div><div>occurs with carers of stroke-survivors, to support their involvement in the DPP and</div><div>ensure continuity of care on discharge.</div> 2020-07-24 11:55:38 Stroke Rehabilitation Patient Discharge Transition Care Caregivers Medical and Health Sciences not elsewhere classified