Quality indicators for stroke patient rehabilitation in outpatient settings - a review of the literature

Abstract

Purpose

Post-stroke patients constitute a large group suffering from disabilities that require rehabilitation long after discharge. Quality indicators (QIs) that specify the minimum expected standard of quality in outpatient rehabilitation could contribute to the valuation of the effectiveness of rehabilitation on decision-makers, health professionals, patients, and relatives. This review aims to identify QIs focusing on physiotherapists’ outpatient rehabilitation of stroke patients.

Materials and methods

The databases Cinahl, Cochrane, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus were searched for publications, and the grey literature was also searched. Through a pragmatic appraisal and assessment with the modified AGREE II-QI instrument, relevant QIs were selected.

Results

A total of 1129 papers were retrieved, and five papers presenting 91 QIs were included. Thirty-six QIs were considered relevant to physiotherapy in outpatient rehabilitation. The QIs cover structure, process, and outcome and concern basic mobility, spasticity, organisation and content of the training, patient-reported outcome measures, education of patients and relatives, and follow-up and goal setting.

Conclusions

The study appraised 36 QIs relevant for outpatient rehabilitation of stroke survivors conducted by physiotherapists. A Delphi panel is required to develop the final set of QIs for physiotherapists and, subsequently, the development of a core set of multidisciplinary QIs.

Keywords:

• Modified AGREE II-QI instrument
• physiotherapy
• delphi panel
• quality in rehabilitation
• post-stroke
• international classification of health
• disability
• functioning (ICF)

Disclosure statement

The authors report there are no competing interests to declare.

Ethical statement

The paper presents a review of the literature and does not involve human participants or identifiable personal information. Quality indicators for stroke patient rehabilitation in outpatient settings - a review of the literature.

Additional information

Funding

The authors received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.