Community Re-engagement and Interprofessional Education: The Impact on Health Care Providers and Persons Living With Stroke

Abstract

Purpose: This study evaluated the impact of an educational intervention that integrates concepts of a community re-engagement framework (CR) and interprofessional collaboration (IPC) on health care providers’ (HCP) practice with persons living with stroke (PLS). Method: A mixed-methods design was used in which HCPs (n = 67) and PLS (n = 29) participated from 9 organizations across the care continuum. Pre- and postintervention surveys and interviews were conducted with the HCPs. One-on-one interviews with stroke clients were also conducted pre and post intervention. Quantitative responses were analyzed in SPSS (Chicago, Illinois, USA) for descriptive frequencies and differences between pre- and postintervention groups. Qualitative open-ended responses were thematically coded using NVivo7. Results: Significant increases occurred in HCPs’ knowledge of CR, confidence levels in working with PLS, enhanced understanding of the complex needs of PLS, and positive self-reported impacts on practice. PLS reported positive perceptions of care pre and post intervention. Conclusions: The intervention provided HCPs with a common language and framework to work collaboratively and holistically in delivering care consistent with stroke best practices.

Keywords:

• common framework
• community re-engagement
• interprofessional collaboration
• interprofessional education
• persons living with stroke
• stroke best practice