Determining the Needs of Family Caregivers of Stroke Patients During Inpatient Rehabilitation Using Interview, Art, and Survey

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explore the needs of family members at the bedside of stroke patients (n = 12) admitted to an inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF). Family members' needs were determined through semistructured interviews, "Draw a Bridge" art therapy technique, and the Family Inventory of Needs. Family members described a family-centered approach to care that addressed the following needs: assistance with preparing for discharge, staff caring for family members, communication about the plan of care and what to expect postdischarge, and trusting the care provided by IRF staff. Art therapy revealed that stroke was a crisis with many unmet needs for the interviewer to explore. Descriptive statistical analysis of the Family Inventory of Needs revealed that both met and unmet needs were consistent with the interviews and the interpretations of the drawings. These findings inform the need for interventions during IRF to enhance communication, support, and effective caregiver education amidst the crisis of stroke.

Experience of Information Provision at the Stroke Unit From the Perspective of Relatives to Stroke Survivors

“…They, like us, found that it is often not easy to access the needed information and that the searching process often leads to frustration. The need for information is also described by Camicia et al, 33 who found that "consistency" was a key to eventually being able to hear and understand what was being said. Relatives in this study stated that they felt disappointed that the health care professionals did not take more responsibility in terms of involving and informing them; they said that, had these information needs been met, they would have felt less anxious and more confident.…”

Study of Physical, Psychological, and Spiritual Impact of Family Caregiver In Home-Based Stroke Treatment: A Systematic Review

“…Psychotherapy is a therapeutic method that aims to improve the human by examining feelings, attitudes, ways of thinking, and how the individual behaves. The types of psychotherapy applied to psychosocial caregiver problems include thought-stopping therapy, cognitive therapy, progressive muscle relaxation therapy, and psychoeducation therapy [19]. The purpose of psychoeducation on caregivers is to increase understanding of family members to disease journey, reduce recurrence of stroke, and increase family and client roles [20].…”

A Validation Study of the Revised Caregiving Burden Instrument in Korean Family Caregivers of Stroke Survivors

“…Stroke is a leading cause of lifelong functional disability that limits the activities of daily living of stroke survivors worldwide [1,2]. Due to the sudden-onset nature of strokes, families are faced with a situation where they have to take care of the patient themselves without being fully prepared [3,4].…”

“…Res. Public Health 2021, 18, 2960 2 of 10 reported feeling emotionally drained, anxious, uncertain, and apprehensive, practicing unhealthy habits and anticipating challenges during the transition from rehabilitation to home [1]. Caregiving was interpreted as suffering, an obligation, a personal choice, a meaningful opportunity, and a natural part of living in Chinese family caregivers of stroke survivors [13].…”