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Stroke is the leading cause of adult disability in the UK. Many stroke patients report a feeling of ‘abandonment’ when they are discharged from therapy services. This in turn, leads to readmissions and re-referrals to both hospital and community services. This paper discusses the components of E-health and how E-health could be used to supplement conventional interventions to improve patient engagement, empowerment and decreased reliance on therapy services. In doing so it will consider how such interventions could better involve carers. An integrated E-health approach has the potential to improve outcomes for stroke survivors. A person centred approach needs to be employed through partnerships between stroke survivor, carer and healthcare professional. Remote monitoring could provide specific targeted interventions, preventing unnecessary hospital admissions or re-referrals and reducing cost of care. While the issues are well defined more work is required on what these integrated, patient centred E-health solutions may look like in order to be successful in supporting stroke survivors.

This research explored the reasons why patients with low back pain (LBP) chose not to return to physiotherapy following an assessment. Methods Qualitative, semi-structured interviews were conducted using five participants with LBP. Data was analysed to produce codes, categories and themes. Findings Data analysis produced expectations, communication and satisfaction as key themes. Findings suggest that expectations may and may not be linked to previous physiotherapy experience, with no clear link between expectations and satisfaction. Communication including: sufficient time, listening skills, empathy and caring qualities were regarded highly. Satisfaction levels were rated highly, despite not returning to physiotherapy. Participants reported pain resolution and personal choice as reasons for not returning. Conclusions Findings support previous research suggesting expectations are multifaceted and individualized and not always linked to previous experience. Findings suggest the physiotherapist's excellent communication skills ensured an overall positive patient experience, maintaining high satisfaction levels.

The impact of the coronavirus on the NHS has been well publicised and the country has locked down to protect it. Acute hospital services needed additional resources and support leading up to the peak of the virus but, as the number of hospital admissions reduces, demand for community rehabilitation services will increase.