Perceived value of stroke outcome measures across the post-acute care continuum: A qualitative case study

Abstract

Connecting the continuum of post-acute care stroke services may be important for easing patients' transition between settings and facilitating recovery and community reintegration. The use of outcome measures is suggested as one means of connecting the continuum. The purpose of this qualitative case study is to describe administrators' and physiotherapists' perceived value of an outcomes program across the post-acute care stroke continuum at a rehabilitation hospital. Data were collected through individual interviews and focus groups with 18 participants. Three themes emerged on the value of the outcomes program: 1) enhanced communication; 2) supports clinical decision-making; and 3) value of objective data. These findings lend support for the use of standardized outcome measures by physiotherapists in stroke rehabilitation. Findings from this study may be useful for organizations and physiotherapists who wish to integrate outcome measures into practice.

Acknowledgments

The authors like to extend appreciation and gratitude to the participants and reviewers for their time and insight as well as Dr. Dana Howell, Dr. Peggy Wittman, and Dr. Nora Fritz for their contributions.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper. This work was supported by a departmental grant through the University of Kentucky's Department of Rehabilitation Sciences.